Friendships are gold in your life

Psalm 16:3, “As for the saints (believers) who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.” 

I am so very grateful for the friendships I have in my life ~ and when I think about my “people” I most definitely agree with King David in Psalm 16.  I have some “excellent ones in whom is all my delight.”  Friendships are gold in my life!

In your life, do you have real, authentic friendships?  Are there people of whom you could say they are the “excellent ones in whom is all my delight”?

Our life is meant to sit in the context of community.  We were made for it.  God created us in His image and He is community~ the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.  God created us from relationship for relationship. When you step into community, it isn’t always easy.  It can be messy.  It can be challenging.  And community is usually slow.  But it is worth it! 

Community is harder for us in the western culture because we tend to be task-driven and individualistic. We are hurried and often we lack deep relationships which hinders what Jesus modelled for us. Community, an intimacy in relationships. We are made for oneness, not otherness (lack of oneness). 

Isolation is a killer!  The enemy will do everything he can to isolate you and keep you from meaningful relationships. Independence and isolation may be natural in our culture, but they are countercultural to Christianity.  In I Corinthians 12: 12-27, Paul speaks of the body of Christ ~ how we are all members of one body & we are to be in harmony and to care for one another. This is impossible to do when we are not connected to each other. 
 
Today, I want to share with you 7 values that come from community, those authentic relationships:

1. Grace~ You need grace to do what God has called you to do and become the person God has called you to be. It takes more than your own effort.  You need to be with those who will fan the gift of faith into flame. In community, grace is a value that grows.  From it, you learn to walk with others in vulnerability and intimacy; to be the real authentic you. This value is extended when we need it.  Grace is always looking for the best in others and calling forth the gold in each one. 

2. Strength~ Lean into those whom God has put in your life.  When you disconnect from others who are pursuing the Lord like you are, it can cause your heart to lose strength.  In community, you give strength to one another to keep going.  Strength is a value that you gain from one another.  There will be areas that you are strong in and areas that others are strong in and when you come together, you can release the strength that someone else needs and someone will release strength that you need. 

3. Wisdom~ Your own wisdom is not enough for your life.  You only see a part. Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise.”  There’s almost nothing in life that you will figure out on your own.  Community provides a group of people who care about you and who have learned wisdom from their own experiences.  When you need advice or help, ask those in your community.  Look to someone who is a little further down the road from you.  Draw from those who have experienced more of life than you have. 

4. Safety~ Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”.  When you need to make some big decisions or if there is something that needs to be thought through, bring those issues to your tribe.  Each person has blind spots and it is the wise one who recognizes that.  Safety comes when you seek others’ counsel. Many wrong decisions can be prevented by bringing big decisions to your friends. 

5. Perspective~ One of the greatest values from community is that you get to hear from others who are in different seasons of life, different occupations, etc or have a different faith journey or life story.  Everyone’s story helps to give a fresh vantage point to your situation or circumstance.  When you are in the midst of a struggle or challenge or an obstacle is before you, your perspective can be skewed because you are in the middle of it.  Bring it to your friends and ask, “How can I be thinking rightly about this?” or “Help me see this from a different perspective” or “Has anyone gone through anything like this?” 

6. Courage~ Life is hard and the enemy will try to discourage you from continuing in your relationship with Jesus. He will set obstacles in your path.  You need others who will pour courage into your heart and come along side you to say:  “Keep going.  You can do it.  You’re doing great! This season will not last forever.” This value is essential when you walk through the darkest valleys.  Stay connected. Reach out to your friends.  Be vulnerable to let them know what trials/temptations/dark seasons are trying to derail you. 

7. Grow in God~ Community pushes you toward growth. The Lord will give you people to challenge what you believe.  And He will give you those who will show you the power of who God is.  You grow through conversations, from watching your friends go through tough circumstances. Study the Word together or listen to podcasts or sermons or take Bible classes together to grow deeper in relationship with God and with one another. 

In each of these 7 areas, God has given you a certain amount:  You have a measure of courage, strength, grace, wisdom, safety, perspective and growth.  But you are not meant to live with the best you have in each of these areas, but with the best that comes from community in these areas. 

Think about gathering with 8 people who have different core values, ways to communicate, upbringing, life experiences, work experiences, encounters with God, and a journey of faith.  What a gift to gather and connect!  Exponential multiplication comes when you share what you have with others and they share with you and along the journey of growing in community, you will grow in all those values and have more to pour out onto others.

If you are not already connected in community, my challenge to you is to make this a goal for 2026 ~ to seek out friendships that are real.  Friendships are gold in your life.  Worth it every time! 

Questions to ponder:
* What are one or two values that you have gained from your friends? 
* What is an area you would like to grow in this year: how could your friendships grow this year?