I recently had a dear friend from my childhood whom I hadn’t seen in many years visit from out of state. I am sure I am not the only one with friends who were once very close, but distance and circumstances make it hard to see each other more regularly. During our time, she indicated she had intentionally decided to visit and reconnect with friends who mattered to her and was actively investing her time and energy into those friendships.
Her comments made me think about how I invest my time with my friends and faith, and the word intentional especially struck a chord. I have never been someone with a large group of girlfriends. Having moved many times and had different jobs, being friendly with co-workers and neighbors was always easy because of their proximity. But my recent visit with my friend encouraged me to think deeper about what can happen when we are intentional.
Our time was filled with reminiscing about our collective memories of growing up in the same hometown, the twists and turns of our lives, and our hopes and dreams for the future. I was reminded that when you surround yourself with individuals who accept who you are even after years apart, it creates an environment without fear of judgment or ridicule. Her intentional decision to invest time in her friends was a testament to our friendship and the person she is. More importantly, it was also a valuable reminder of the time needed to cultivate any relationship, including an ongoing one with Jesus.
Just as we make investments in our friendships, we should be deliberate about nurturing our connection with Jesus. If you are like me, I often find my daily life so busy that it is hard to find time, but if it’s important enough, we can make time just like my friend who booked an airline ticket to spend time with me. I know intentionality in my relationship with Jesus means dedicating time to prayer, being in his presence, and scripture reading. It also means surrounding myself with people who support my beliefs and participating in activities that strengthen my faith.
It occurs to me that my friends and my faith in Jesus reinforce and nourish each other, leading me toward a deeper connection and a more joyful and faith-filled life on this side of heaven. No doubt my relationship with Jesus deepens as I seek Him with purpose and find strength and guidance in my faith. Likewise, my friends constantly remind me of my values, encouraging me to be a better version of myself. I am grateful for my friend’s visit and for being intentional in her desire to nurture a meaningful friendship; despite the miles that separate us, it was an amazing heart happy weekend.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
