Better Together

This puts a bit of a different spin on building our tribe, doesn’t it? I think it’s comfortable to look at my community as the people I “vibe” with, those that are the most fun, and the ones that make me the happiest to be around. This sometimes can cause me to overlook people that have been put into my life for a very specific reason.

My community should have the fun and comfortable, but it should also have challenging and pushing. I’ve heard many times that it’s important to seek out mentors and friends who are different than you; they should have different personalities, approaches, and perspectives. Sometimes they aren’t the people that I would naturally be friends with. These might actually be the people that help me grow the most because they will see things I don’t and share viewpoints I might not naturally have. These individuals might even rub me wrong, but as long as we can agree to grow together we can create a strong, respectful community that equips each other to fulfill our callings.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews‬ ‭10:23-25‬

The Greek word used here as stimulate means an inciting, incitement: (A. V. to provoke unto love), or an irritation (R. V. contention). This verse isn’t saying to get together and be cheerleaders (which should also happen), it’s saying to challenge, to provoke, and at times irritate each other into doing the right thing. This isn’t a warm and fuzzy complacent relationship, this is loving conflict and growth. And the Bible tells us not to forsake those relationships!

If I’m really going to serve God the way He is calling me to, I’ve got to seek out the people who push me. The ones whose Facebook posts I disagree with, or whose approaches annoy me or from my perspective don’t make sense. Not because they’re jerks, but because we’re different. And our differences can make all of us better, because after all, we’re better together.

#thesassysaint #leadershipprotips