We Need Each Other

I've always been of an independent mind. At least, that's what I thought. I've always loved people, but I never believed that I NEEDED them.

Lately, my pastor has been speaking on the book of Joshua. He has been telling us about the need for each one of us to cross the Jordan and go into our Promise Land. What has been striking me as most significant to my life in past days is the point he has made about the children of Israel crossing the river TOGETHER. They needed each other in order to take the Land and follow the Lord in obedience.

Two people come to mind when I think of the needs in my life right now.

One is a lovely young woman that the Lord has blessed with a gentle spirit. Even though she is 7 years my junior, she has taught me so much about seeking the Lord, and the importance of sitting at His feet. I've grown so much closer to the Lord, and I know that much of it has had to do with her prayers on my behalf. She also has been given a gift of encouragement in helping young woman feel beautiful and beloved by their Bridegroom. And with our prayers for one another, we've been helping each other on a journey towards absolute obsession with our Jesus. In His sovereignty, I've been given a soul sister in Christ to walk with along this part of the path of my life.

On the other side of me, walks a man of challenge, intrigue and adventure. Every word that comes out of his mouth makes me think. He is one of the dearest friends that I've ever had because his honesty and integrity urge me on to become more like Jesus. We go through challenges of friendship because of such different personalities and gender conflicts, but the Lord has given us such grace and blessing. No matter what the circumstances we have always worked it out, learned from it, and through it have become even better friends. He doesn't let me wallow in my selfish ambitions. He pushes me to have the mind of Christ, and think of others before myself. I've learned difficult things about myself through my friendship with him. But in it, I've had to think more of him, and as a result have thought more of others.

I know that right now, I need these two people. While one friend is helping me grow closer to God, the other is helping me die to myself. God in His plan has placed His purpose for my life into their lives, and I praise Him for His gift of them.

Thinking of these two precious people, has also reminded me of the words of wisdom spoken by my project director this past summer. She asked us to think of our best friends and the people that they are. Because in a year, we will be that person. My prayer is that these wonderful workings of Christ in the lives of my two friends will overflow and splash all over me. In these aspects of their growth in Christ, I pray that I WILL be like them in a year. But I mostly pray that whatever the Lord is doing in my life will become grace overflowing into my friends, and that they will be blessed because of Christ's work in me.

So as we cross the Jordan together, I praise the Lord for these two friends that he has placed by my side. May we cross with purpose and push each other to pursue the will of our Maker and His plans for our lives.

We need each other.

"Now ye are the body of Christ..." I Cor. 12:27