The social creature continues to develop
For a while, I worked for a car dealership in Evansville, Indiana. During our training, there was a saying that is true on all areas of life. “Just like a tree, you’re either dying or growing.” Pretty simple, but if it is applied to every aspect in life it becomes profound. The friendships you’re in either are life or death; they either pull you closer to the Lord or closer to sin. The music you listen to either brings you closer to the Lord or closer to sin. The movies and television shows you watch either pull you closer to the Lord or closer to sin. Nothing ever leaves us unaffected. For me, as I am continuing to grow in my relationship with the Lord, I am constantly being crafted, being designed, and shown the areas of my life that must change.
There are two verses in 1 Corinthians that reminds me of the investment the Lord has in me. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men (1 Corinthians 7:23) and For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20). As a Christian, I know what price was paid – Jesus gave His life to pay for my sins. I am a parent; I have the responsibility to prepare my daughter for adulthood. Just as my Heavenly father, the Lord has the responsibility to teach me what I need to do to be what He desires for me to be. As I grow stronger in my faith I become aware of how imperfect I am and how much I still need to grow.
The social creature needs…others
This particular blog entry would not be complete if I didn’t share the importance of having other Christians in our life. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25) – far too often we use this verse as justification to others about regularly attending church. It means far more than that. It means sharing fellowship with other Christians every chance we get. Solomon wrote, Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17). The common sense application is for us to seek out friendships with those who can encourage and help us in our spiritual growth.
We live in an era where there is more contact around the world than ever before. There is also a lot more individual isolation than ever before as well. Where I work, I come across people every day that claim to be completely happy in solitude, yet reach out daily to find friendship in a world that does not truly exist. As a Christian, I have an obligation to reach out to them when they do reach out to me. Peter wrote, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15). This is my daily goal and each day I strive to be this sort of witness for the Lord.
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