Worship

Scripture

I remember a time when I was extremely scared to be known and to be seen. I was probably 18 years old and I had no community whatsoever. I went to church and had people I talked to that I would call friends, but I would never reveal anything personal to them. I would never let them close enough to know what was going on in my life. Everything changed when through our small group we went through a season of learning about vulnerability. I decided to try out being vulnerable as some sort of social experiment. The results were fascinating as in the church I saw a community of people grow around me to encourage me and help me grow in my faith. 8 years later, I’m still forcing myself to participate in this experiment. 

Proverbs: 27:17 says “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Iron sharpening iron is not pretty. The sound it makes when the two are pressing against each other is painful to my ears. The friction is causing the iron to get rid of itself. Similarly, when we surround ourselves with other Christians we don’t always see eye to eye and we are bound to hurt each other. It does not sound good or look nice and it causes pain that can last for many years. With God’s help, we can learn to exercise grace, forgiveness, and love. What is happening is the friction is causing us to rid ourselves of our selfishness. This sharpens us and makes us better in the process. This process is called sanctification. Sanctification cannot happen in a room by ourselves. 

Growth is found in community and God never intended for you to do life alone. We are in love with the idea of independence, but the reality is God created us to be interdependent. Maybe today you feel like you are surrounded by people but you feel alone. You don’t have to be. I want to encourage you to meet with like-minded Christian people, whether a church group or your Christian friends and have the courage to be vulnerable. Let them see the real you and encourage each other to grow in your faith. You don’t have to do life alone, and the only way to grow is in community, letting another person sharpen you as you both sharpen each other.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

At the end of the day, our most satisfying life is when God is most glorified. How can you glorify Him today?

ASK GOD

Healing comes by confession. Ask God to meet you through the confessions of your heart and heal you. What do you need to confess to Him?

SUBMIT TO GOD

Our God is unshakable! Commit your day to Him in reverence and awe!
CLOSING PRAYER
God, thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for Your blood that has paid my ransom. Help me to see sin for what it is and where it leads. I commit myself to Your righteousness even in the places I feel hesitant to lay at Your feet. Your ways are higher, and I trust what You say.  In Jesus Name, Amen.