We were made to lean on each other, to live in community with one another, to learn and grow together, to pray for each other, to share our strengths and weaknesses with one another. But that's just not the way that my mind wants to think sometimes. I often adopt the mindset that I am good enough to handle everything on my own. I don't need help. I don't need someone to keep me accountable.
Yes, I want to be challenged and I want to rely on the Lord, but that means also letting others walk alongside me as I continue to navigate life. Being vulnerable is not fun sometimes. I want to look like I have it all together. Like I have a good enough relationship with the Lord that I don't need any other help or any other guidance.
Lesson #1 of the day:
So, next semester I am officially studying abroad in the French Alps. Grenoble, France will be my home for 5 months. I'm thrilled. Literally. Actually, I'm not sure if you can be "literally" thrilled. But if it were possible, that would be the description of how I feel.
What I am excited for most is the opportunity to go where my faith will be challenged. Where it's going to be hard. All my life I've only ever been comfortable. From high school to kamp to college, it's never been too hard to be a follower of Christ.
For the first time I want to just get out there and figure things out (alone). Alone? Who typed that? Me? Surely not.
That's the thing. I think that I can go halfway across the globe and live in complete spiritual isolation and do everything on my own. HA. I think God is actually chuckling up in heaven right now.
I ran into a friend today who told me that she would be praying for one friend for me next semester that I could walk in community with next semester in France. It took me a moment to process that this was the Lord gently tapping me on the shoulder and telling me once again that I cannot and I was not MADE to do this alone. When the Lord created me, he did not say to himself: Hmm, yes, Adrienne, she will go throughout life on her own (spiritually) without any help because she's special. She's the exception. NO.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. // 1 John 1:7
Lesson #2 of the day:
This morning I decided that I wanted to start reading a book that my dad gave me a few years ago, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. It's essentially a 40-day spiritual journey that challenges readers to understand the big picture of why we are here and what we are made for in this life. It also encourages readers to not read it alone. Instead, find a buddy with whom you can discuss what you read, what you're learning, bounce ideas off one another with how to apply it and most importantly, keep each other accountable in being faithful to spend time with the Lord each day. My first thought was, no thanks. Other people might need to depend on a friend, but I think I can handle this on my own.
My roommate just happened to be home and a few minutes later, I found myself asking if she would like to be my reading buddy. That's some kind of divine intervention if I've ever seen it. Why was it so hard for me to initially be willing to realize my need for community and for accountability?
"Real spiritual growth is never an isolated, individualistic pursuit. Maturity is produced through relationships and community." -Rick Warren
Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up...Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break. // Ecclesiastes 4:9
Man oh man, do I have a lot to learn about being a follower of Christ. In the meantime, I'm praying that the Lord would continue to soften my heart and prepare me for this upcoming journey in my life.
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