Surround Yourself
Who do you surround yourself with? When I was a kid, I probably would’ve said, “it needs to always, 100% of the time, be fellow believers!” Because I heard what my parents said, “if you hang out with so and so, it’s a slippery slope, they’re a bad influence!” And here’s the thing – my parents were right. In middle & high school, it was important for me to stick around other kids who believed what I believed and held the same values because peer pressure is REAL.
However, as I’ve gotten older, and I have my own secure relationship with Jesus – I’ve felt the confidence and even the call – to often surround myself with people who don’t necessarily live like I do.
And here’s why – that’s what Jesus did.
A few examples come to mind:
- The Samaritan women at the well (John 4) – Jesus befriended an outcast in the society, ignited her faith and she then went on to proclaim His name.
- Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19) – Jesus invited himself to dine with Zacchaeus who was a despised man in the community. And by showing him love and acceptance Jesus transformed his heart.
- The Thief on the cross (Luke 23) – A blameless Jesus willingly hung on the cross between criminals. While the world judged this thief for his actions – Jesus forgave him and welcomed him into heaven.
I want to be more like Jesus. Willing to hang out with those unlike me so that they may catch a glimpse of God. And if I’m honest, I am not much different than my friends who don’t know Jesus – I am broken, I make selfish choices, and we both have a God who died for us. The ONLY difference is that they haven’t accepted Jesus (yet). While we know that acceptance is the difference between eternal life and death – I am reminded everyday that it is because Jesus willingly befriended the Samaritan women, the tax collector, and the thief – that they came to believe. It is because Jesus befriended ME that I came to believe. So how can you and I befriend someone and encourage them to get to know Jesus?
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecuted you. Matthew 5:43-44
Now here’s a very important reminder that goes back to mom and dad’s encouragement to surround yourself with fellow believers – you and I NEED a strong foundation of Christian friends and a faith-based community to keep us grounded in our faith. Otherwise, the world’s temptations will become increasingly difficult to ignore.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
So, if you’re looking around your life and only see one or the other – only nonbelievers or only believers – I encourage you to break out of your comfort zone and seek what’s lacking.
Questions to Ponder
- Are there any nonbelievers in your life that you could be encouraging today or inviting to know Jesus?
- How are you fortifying your faith as you interact with those who live differently than you?
