Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 29, 2019
It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another. Proverbs 27:17, TPT
I just experienced an engaging weekend in the mountains with eight friends. This was our thirteenth consecutive year sharing our hearts with a relational deep dive. The second night one of the men asked the group, “What truth have you learned from God over the past 4-6 weeks?” Answers varied from peace in the midst of a new grandchild’s birth defect to the Lord’s loving support through a severe health challenge, to a child’s drug addiction that brought a man and his wife into intense prayer and love for their daughter. One man shared the joy and honor of spending time with and influencing a grandchild for Christ. Tears and truth mingled together to transform all of us. Sharpened by one another in the Spirit, each man grew into a better version of himself.
I was freshly reminded of the necessity for community. Without relational engagement with others I am only a shell of myself. The blade of my life becomes dull while cutting through the clutter and chaos of everyday life. Only by the whetstone of another righteous life am I able to learn from and feel the sparks from his story grind away the impediments to my relational intimacy with God and others. Character is forged by the caring combustion of a vulnerable community.
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24, KJV).
Pride smothers in community for lack of air to the ego. Do you have a band of brothers or a group of sisters who love you for you? Friends who don’t require anything to earn their love and there is nothing you can do to lose their love? You can be yourself, and in the process better understand yourself. Love thrives where it feels listened to and understood. Peace blankets a heart that is freely comforted and cared for by an empathetic group of friends. Sparks of truth will rub pride the wrong way from time to time, only to soften the ego and humble the heart.
Most importantly is your community of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Linger long in the presence of the Trinity and your trust and love will grow without end. Ask for your Father’s wisdom and He will open your mind to thoughts only seen by eyes of faith. Seek your Savior’s forgiveness and He will wash away your guilt and shame with His purifying grace and love. Rest in your Comforter’s care and the Holy Spirit will give you rest and rejuvenation to your soul. Divine community draws your heart into ongoing communion. The cords of faith, hope and love cannot be broken, when you come broken before the community of the Divine.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Prayer
Dear Lord, keep me in community with the Holy Trinity and with other Christ followers, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
How can I develop a humble and vulnerable heart with a small group who loves me?
Related Reading
1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 John 1:7
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