Walk with the wise - become wise

Do you have anyone in your life that really 'believes' in you? There are all kinds of people in our lives, but those that really believe in us are a blessing way beyond what we might imagine. When we have others who believe in us, they encourage us, give us direction, help us avoid harmful things, and even learn new things. I don't know about you, but I need encouraging people in my life because life is filled with all kinds of people and things that have the primary aim of discouraging me. We all need direction from time to time because we don't always know which way to go on our own. We also don't see the stuff that can bring us harm when we are too doggone close to it, but when another is there to help us see it they can keep us from going any closer. We want a group of people in our lives that believe in us - nothing will help us grow as much as being surrounded by people we admire, respect, and trust.

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)

A companion of fools suffers harm - that is scripture, my friends. I am not accusing any of us being fools, but I will let you in on a little secret here - we don't always surround ourselves with wise people! Sometimes we allow fools to become the ones who bring the greatest influence in our lives. To be truthful here, we 'allow' or 'deny' access to our lives, but if we are constantly surrounding ourselves with the wrong individuals (those who scripture would classify as foolish), we will soon see their influence in our lives. If nothing else, we will struggle to remain faithful to what we know is right. We have the right to 'deny' access to the fool's influence in our lives, but it is hard to deny their influence if we just keep hanging around with them all the time!

You want to have others who will actually 'walk' with you. That means they might determine the pace on occasion, but they don't determine the direction for our lives. God is the only one who should be one who determines the direction our lives will take. The close friends we have who 'walk' with us in life are those who also recognize the direction God is giving us and encourages us to stay faithful to that course. The right companions in life will help us avoid the foolishness of taking any other direction than that which God has given us. How are your companions adding up today in terms of helping you follow God's direction in life? 

Probably one of the most important parts of being surrounded by the 'right' people in our lives is that they will make an investment in what they know God is doing in and through us. They pour into our lives and in turn, they help bring forth the wonder God has prepared within us that can actually touch the lives of others. We want people who will invest in us and in turn, we will invest in them. A godly friend will not be 'stingy' in the investment they make in our lives - they will give willingly, above and beyond, without thought as to what they may 'receive' in return. Choose your friends - your companions in life - wisely. They make all the difference in how you will walk! Just sayin!

Hey, friend me!

When we really determine to walk the pathway of a disciple, it will cost us. The pathway is not always traveled by as many of those we call "friends" as we'd like to think. Yet, when we find someone to travel with us in this journey of faith, what a blessing it is! We need each other to understand and fulfill God's calling on our lives. We each compliment the other, challenging and uplifting, learning together what is contained deep in the Word of God.

Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make! (Psalm 16:1-3)

David's words ring true in the hearts of many who engage in this walk of discipleship with Christ - without you, God, absolutely nothing makes sense at all. We can attempt to make sense out of tragedy, loss, or even a success all on our own. Without God, and those he places in our lives as fellow travelers, we often miss the meaning hidden deep in the recesses of that experience. If there is one thing I have learned in this walk of faith, it is that the study of his Word presents a challenge to those who walk alone. The Word of God is not meant for individual interpretation - there is something that is missed when we attempt to see it through the eyes of our limited perception. As we seek to discover the will of God for our lives, we are often reminded in scripture that there is wisdom in good counsel. In other words, we need to hear how another may "perceive" life and the choices before us.

Isaiah was called to bring a message to Israel - one that reminded them, and all down through time since then, of how much God wants to be the one who teaches us what is best for us and to direct the ways we travel. Isaiah 48:17: "I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go. If you had listened all along to what I told you, your life would have flowed full like a river, blessings rolling in like waves from the sea." Lives flowing full like rivers, blessings rolling in like waves - I am pretty certain that most of us would definitely "sign up" for this kind of life! The challenge - listen - not just occasionally, but ALL along.

The challenge comes in our consistency - we waver, sometimes dilly-dally, and often just simply "peter out" along the way in our independent pursuit of godliness. That is why we should not travel this journey alone. Not only do we need each other to encourage us to take in the different perspectives of what God is doing, but we need the straight-forward teaching of his Word to steady us on the path - sometimes with lessons learned not in our personal study, but in the study of another. When the Word does not make sense - we might need the help of another to open it for our understanding.

The Word of God guides us in the very practical issues of daily life - how to relate to one another, when to let an offense go without the need to retaliate, what a wrong choice will cost, etc. We may not know how to live as a member of the family of God, but he provides those we can figure this out with to guide us in that journey. Without God's perspective, nothing makes sense - without the perspective of another God places in our lives, nothing makes sense. We need to discover his will for our lives - we need to run to him for his perspective. When we are consistently running to him in this way, we are less likely to drift into rebellion or areas of sinfulness that will leave us wounded and hurting. It is God that teaches us how to live right - he is the one that gives us the plan. It is also God who places others in our path that assist us in maintaining our walk - in broadening our perspective of God. What splendid friends God-chosen lives make! Just being a friend!

Sit by me a while, please

I saw a cute little poster the other day. One person sat with their arm around the other, backs facing outward toward the camera, heads slightly tilted toward the other person's shoulder. The caption was what spoke to me: "I'm not interested in whether you stood with the great. I'm interested in whether you sat with the broken." I think the idea expressed is simply profound - although it is not "Bible", the concept is straight out of the teachings of Jesus!

PERPETUALLY my focus takes me to the Eternal because He will set me free from the traps laid for me. QUIETLY turn Your eyes to me and be compassionate toward me because I am lonely and persecuted.  (Psalm 24:15-16 VOICE)

We don't have to possess all the answers in order to be a help to another.  We simply need to make the time, paying attention to their expressed need, as well as those things they just don't say, but are deeply feeling.  Often loneliness is not ever spoken, but it is there, deeply felt and earnestly desiring some type of release.  It is often easier for us to see the one who cries out the loudest and respond to their "need", but it may just be the one who says the least is the one who needs the strength of our shoulder the most!

There is something about just finding solace in each other that is priceless.  It isn't that we might experience long conversations, sharing deeply held secrets, or hashing out issues long overdue in being "dealt with".  I do appreciate that person who came alongside and was with me to work those things out, but I think I might just appreciate their quiet resolve to just "be there" when I have been unable to speak about whatever it is I am feeling even a little bit more.

I think we under-estimate the value of just being a constant friend - a companion in the journey.  It isn't necessarily the depth of your wisdom someone craves as much as the depth of your commitment.  In fact, it speaks so much more to just be faithful and consistent than it does to be able to work out the issues and have the answers to every problem.  I think I have valued those in my life who just came to be there than those who felt they needed to make some "impact" on my life. In reality, those who just sat with me when I have been broken made a more lasting impact than those who thought they had impacted me through their insight and talent!

If we are to model the love of Christ, it begins first with being sensitive to the needs of those around us.  It also requires us to not have to speak volumes in our words - but to speak volumes in our actions.  Sometimes the greatest action is that of just being along for the journey - nothing more, nothing less.  Just sayin!

Who you gonna open up to?

I have had only a few relationships in life where I would hold nothing back - sharing from my heart, opening up freely, knowing those individuals would not pick me apart because of some of the things I struggle with.  It is a rare find to find one so trustworthy.  You know, I didn't start out with these kind of friends, though.  It took a long time to find these most trusted individuals!  Yet, in the places where I had no one in the "natural" sense to open up to, I always had God.  I think this is where I first learned the value of having someone I could open up to!  Trusting him first with my life's secrets and struggles was the secret to me finding those whom he placed in my path who would become some of my greatest allies, toughest "critics", and most loving companions in this journey.

Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done:  He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.  (Psalm 37:5-6 MSG)

Our psalmist challenges us to do several things in this psalm.  It is a psalm steeped in all kinds of richness.  If you have never read it in its entirety, I will link below so you might just have the pleasure of taking it in.  In passing through this portion of scripture again and again, some things always catch my eye about what David recorded here.  I'd like to consider just a couple of them with you today:

* The company you keep determines a lot about where you will be headed.  David's advice is to keep company with God because there is no better companion for the journey.  Mom always used to say, "Choose your friends wisely."  I think every parent's concern centers on the effect of unwise choices when the companions you choose are a little unruly and undisciplined.  This has certainly proven to be true in my life.  Those who spur me to do well are those who are also committed to walking with Jesus - just sayin!

* The ability to quiet down determines much about how we will interpret life.  It is in the quieting process where we begin to center ourselves on what is really important - the things which really matter.  I have to take regular times to actually quiet myself down - since my life usually flies at speeds in excess of the speed of light!  If I didn't, I'd only have the perspective of the hectic, out of control life others want to impose upon me.  In quieting down, I am taking back control, regaining perspective, and getting square with God's plan.  When you are traveling in train, things pass you by and are gone.  What you lack is the perspective of what is passing you by.  In quieting down long enough and frequently enough, you regain the perspective.  Just sayin!

* The perspective we maintain often determines our response to what life sends our way.  David puts it well - bridle your anger, trash your wrath.  If you have ever spun out of control in this life, you know how easily you find yourself at the edge of anger - always finding fault with things and people, easily excited when the slightest thing keeps life from progressing at the pace you were trying to keep.  So, David's advice to get the right perspective also helps us to maintain the right attitude toward the things which would otherwise drive us over the edge!  Just sayin!

* The relationship we have with things and money often is an indicator of what is really in control of our lives.  To David, he lived by the "less is more" philosophy.  In fact, he says, "Less is more, and more is less."  Seems like a silly thing to say, but is it really?  He is building on each piece of advice as he goes along in this psalm.  When we choose our traveling companion well (God), we will also learn to spend time with him.  Time with him helps us see things as they are, not as someone else would want us to see them.  When we see things in this manner, we often don't find ourselves struggling with the attitudes that further clutter our lives with messes we have to clean up.  Learning to live in simplicity is a blessing.  Just sayin!

* The path we travel is made more secure because of the one we choose to walk with.  In fact, David says it better than I ever could - "Stalwart walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he’s happy.  If he stumbles, he’s not down for long; God has a grip on his hand."  (vs. 23-24)  We might stumble, but we won't go down!  The one we choose to travel with holds us securely.  No "tree" in his forest falls without his noticing!  Just sayin!

* The condition of the path we walk is often more of a matter of choosing the right path to travel than it is avoiding the obstacles on the one we might have haphazardly chosen.  Maybe this is why David tells us to open up before God - to reveal to him the very things we might otherwise want to keep bottled up from the world around us.  In getting these things out, placing them squarely in his care, there is often a clarifying of the path we should take.  If we have clearly been on the wrong one, he redirects our course.  If we are about to take a new one, he gives us assurance of its safety.  Just sayin!

So, just some thoughts from a great psalm.  Maybe you will find some treasures of your own there, as well.  Just sayin!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+37&version=MSG

Who's your match?

I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules.  Your love, God, fills the earth!  Train me to live by your counsel.

(Psalm 119:63-64 The Message)

It is good to have friends.  As we begin today, just take a moment to make a list of friends.  Now, divide that list into those who you could say were more than just your acquaintances - the list probably got a little shorter.  To further refine this list, let's divide out those who we really know have our back - they are more of a confidante to us, they are a compatriot in our mission in life.  The list probably got downright tiny with that one!  We can have lots of friends, but few will go the extra mile of walking with us through our mission in life - partnering with us in our walk with Christ.

David says he was a friend and companion of ALL who feared God.  Then he broke that down a little further - of those that were committed to living by the rules God establishes.  He made his lists, too!  He knew there were a lot who would make good friends because of their similar interests, but there were some who'd make the best "traveling companions" because of their commitment of heart!

A companion is someone who is a "match" for you.  It is like having two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together.  The term "companion" is also a nautical term and carries the meaning of the frame on the upper deck of the ship that may be raised in order to allow light to flow into the recesses of the ship.  The "companion" brings light into dark spaces!  Isn't that a neat way to think of those on the "smaller" list we just made?  They serve to "bring light" into what would be an otherwise dark existence!

Maybe we need the companion because of the light they bring that assists God in training us to live by his counsel!  When we think of those on our "short list" of friends, we are probably able to see how the individual(s) possess certain levels of maturity, talents, and insights that we have not completely developed in our own lives yet.  This is probably why they make such a perfect "match" for us - - they bring into the relationship what it is that we lack!  

In the process of being "trained" to live by the counsel of God, the companions we choose in this journey make all the difference in the outcome of the journey.  I have traveled to various parts of the world - - the companions in those travels have made all the difference in how it was that I "experienced" the places I visited.  For example, when I traveled to the Philippines, I was with others that knew the customs, foods, and things to avoid.  I trusted them to help me experience those things that would not bring misery to my digestive system, keep me out of situations where I'd commit a slight in customary courtesy, etc.  They knew the region, the people, and kept me safe.

There have been times when I have traveled to brand new places - - with no one on the trip knowing the region any better than the other.  It is less reassuring, and I daresay we took less adventures, trusted ourselves less to make the right choices, etc.  We simply did not know what to expect, so we were a little wary!  The same is true when we only align ourselves with those that are "weaker" than ourselves in this journey we call the Christian walk of faith.  We need companions along the way who have "gone before" us - - those with experiences we can learn from.

The lists we made at the beginning were important.  If you did not make them, take some time over the next couple of days to really think about your lists of friends, companions, and true "matches" for this journey.  If you find you are lacking that true "match" for the journey, it may be a perfect opportunity to begin to ask God to reveal such a person in your life.  I have enjoyed these "matches" along the journey - - there have been few, but they have been perfect for the season I was walking in.  I pray the same for each of you this holiday season.  May God "gift" you with the perfect "match" for this journey you are on!