“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
Who we hang out with impacts us. The Apostle Paul warned us: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33 – NIV). Relationships are like food and water. When it’s pure and life-giving, we become healthy and strong. But if we drink, even slightly toxic water, or eat something with merely traces of poison, it will hurt our bodies, and probably make us sick! And if we don’t stop, it could kill us! I realize that is not a secret, but why is it then, we choose to hang around people who don’t push us upward to Jesus. Perhaps we are thinking we are being missional to them! The friends we hang with either pull us up or drag us down. A friend who is passionate for Jesus and seeks a holy lifestyle is more valuable than gold!
Those around us really do make a difference, especially now in this hour. Nevertheless, I am not suggesting that we withdraw from the world, or from our not yet saved friends. But I am saying they should not be in our intimate core! It is much easier to drag someone down than it is to pull someone up.
Ask yourself these few questions. Are my friends pushing me toward Christ or the world? Is the church I am a part of, calling out my destiny, stirring up my faith and empowering me in the Holy Spirit to go do the works, even the greater works of Jesus?
Mentors and spiritual parents, those who are further on in their faith, are also important to include in our life. Too many of us act spiritually independent, without realizing what we are missing by not hanging around those with greater passion, maturity and faith!
This is the year that God is calling us to separate from our Lot (Genesis 13). That means the things, people, and even ministries that are not meant to travel with us into the next season, need to be downgraded and even removed from our lives! Even the good things and people of our past can become obstacles for our future. We need people around us who desire His face more than His hands, His presence more than His miracles! We need to be around people who are wholeheartedly seeking Jesus, who are pursuing their first love! We need our tribe!
It is vital to personally, and constantly pray that God would remove those who are not meant to be in our lives in this hour, as well as bring into our lives the ones who are!
Pray with me… Oh Father, bring those whom You know would stir me to greater faith and deeper fiery passion for You. Remove those people and things that are only going to drag me down, or hold me back in this crucial hour. Connect me with my tribe, even if that means I need to leave the current groups, or community that I have been involved in. Grant me the courage to stay my course toward You! Gather seekers and lovers of Jesus around me, and continue to use my life to point others to You!!!
