The following is a copy of a daily devotional I receive via email. It hit home! It got me thinking and I can honestly only answer with just a few names. That's sad. Our connection with friends seems to always have an event, meeting or agenda attached to it! I long for more authentic relationships where there is no agenda, meeting or event that brings us together. A relationship that is because we love and want it to be together, not because we happen to have the same meeting or event that is happening.
Regaining the Art of Community
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
10-25-2008
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
I have a friend who spent three months living in Israel with Jewish believers. During one of their conversations the Jewish man noticed how often my friend came to visit him only to discuss a project. He turned to my friend during dinner and admonished him: "You western Christians! You always seem to need a program or an event to get together. Why can't you fellowship with one another just because you love each other!?"
My friend was convicted by his assessment. They began to talk about how Jesus modeled love for the disciples and how they simply hung out together because of their love for one another. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).
Jesus often spent unhurried times of fellowship with the disciples. They shared countless meals together. It is often during such times we get to know others at a deeper level.
Love for one another is one of the greatest signs of faith in Christ. However, the pace of life often contributes to a life being lived for the next event instead of a relationship rooted in the love or Christ.
How many relationships do you have in your life that would allow you to fellowship simply because you cared for one another?
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3 comments:
Oh Lori, I sooooo agree. I see that all the time and wonder the same thing. So move on to VA girl and we are going to develop our friendship. I don't think I can handle the MN snow anymore!!!! I know, it didn't take but one year to NOT miss it!!!
HUGS to you :0)
what great word - I have missed you :)
hug you from me today -
you have no idea how great you really are:)
Boy, that is convicting! Thanks for the reminder. Just came over to say hi, I've been neglecting some of my old blogger friends. Hope you are all well.
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