Choose your friends wisely “Too long has my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war, Psalm 120:6-7. Brethren, Too often we let life happen to us rather than pro-actively making the right choices. One example of this is the way we select the environment of friends with which we surround ourselves. Some people think friendships just happen. People gravitate towards us, or we gravitate toward them for a variety of reasons. Some believe that whatever will be will be, and we should be grateful for whatever we get. The truth is we only have time for so many strategic relationships, and we need to be purposeful in building them. Some of these relationships will be such that our primary purpose is to minister. Through wisdom and discernment we must carefully control the amount of time we allow ourselves with these people. When our spiritual and emotional batteries begin to drain, we must purpose to push away so we can be renewed. Our primary friendships should be with people who help us with this renewal process. They should be relationships where the balance between give and take is close to being even. When we spend time with these people we should leave feeling a little richer in Christ. The time we spend building and maintaining these relationships should be intentional. These people should have intimacy with Christ and know who they are in Him. They should be God-centered in their focus and practice, and should walk in peace and joy more times than not. We should be bold in asking God for these kinds of friendships and fearless and intentional in trying to build them. The consequences of making our primary friendships with the wrong people can be devastating. The Psalmist said, “Too long my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace.” Some people live their lives in war and turmoil. Their souls are always troubled. If we spend too much time in these relationships, we become defiled, taking this heaviness into our own thoughts and beliefs. The only way we can rescue hurting people is by maintaining relationships that enable us to stay anchored in God’s peace. If we strategically order our lives in the peace of Christ, we will make a bigger impact on people who need to know more of Him. What I’m suggesting here is very basic. Where choice is an option, choose your friends very carefully. When family, work or ministry afford you relationships that are draining, give these people the Christ in you. Let them eat His fruit. When it seems that your fruit is wearing thin, re-energize yourself in Christ and through strategic time in healthy, peaceful relationships. In other words, don’t just let your relationships happen. Exercise God’s control to make choices concerning how much time you devote to each relationship in your life and what you do with that time. Until God graces me to share again, Randall Paul Pipes
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 19:54:41 +0000