Day 17- Community
Author: Landon Fleming
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Something interesting about scripture is that you never see these names separated. You never see a verse that just says Shadrach in it or only Abednego. It always refers to the three friends together. Notice the verses from Daniel chapter 3 and how they are worded:
Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT) “16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
They were persecuted by King Nebuchadnezzar together. They refused to bow down to a false god together. They literally were thrown into a fiery furnace together because they would not bow. You could almost imagine when one of them was tempted just to bow down to escape being thrown into the fire…he had his brothers there to hold him up.
This is why having a godly circle of people to live life with is so important. I pray that this would be the year that you commit to belonging to the right circle of people. We all face temptations every day to bow down to culture, to stress, to anxiety, to the fear of the unknown, to busyness, to just giving up. Your life will be different when you belong to a circle of people that’s there to hold you up when you feel like bowing down.
When it comes to finding community here are a couple of things to remember:
- Remember that people will let you down and that is okay.
- It takes time to build strong friendships. Be committed to the process. It may be awkward at first but fight through that.
- Sometimes the key to finding the right community is letting go of some friendships that are toxic and need to end.
- Lay your expectations and idea of a “perfect” friend down. You will be surprised that some of your greatest friends who push you closer to Christ could be someone you would never think of getting close with.
- If you need a great place to start… join a C-Group at church!
My life has been changed because I belong to a circle of guys that love me and challenge me. I pray this year you would be able to say the same.
PRAY: God, thank you that you designed me to have relationships with other people. Help me to see in my life who deserves less of my time and help me to see who deserves more of my time. Would you help me to see the right people who can surround me and push me closer to you. I pray against the urge to stay isolated and ask you help me belong to the right circle of people. In Jesus' name I pray these things. Amen.