Scripture: Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Devotion: We have talked (perhaps ad nauseum) about hearing what God is saying to you through Scripture this week. But another way that God can speak is through community. Community is a necessity in this life, and we were created to live in community. The Spirit often speaks to us through this community.
When you think about the people you are surrounding yourself with in this life, what thoughts and descriptors come to mind? Certainly not every person in your life needs to be a wealth of Christian knowledge. In fact, we are called to minister to others and to share the Gospel with unbelievers. But it is also important to have Godly influence in our lives. We need people in our lives to speak truth over us and remind us of His grace. In certain seasons of life, we need people to remind us of what God has to say and point out to us where we are not living a life that is honoring to Him. We need trustworthy, loving, Spirit-filled community around us to help us thrive in this life.
Our interactions with others give us chance to both reflect and receive the depth of God’s love for us. We can give and extend grace, speak and listen, and empathize and find someone to walk alongside of us. It is through these types of relationships that God often speaks to us. I started by asking what type of people you have surrounding you, and it is important to have people who exemplify Jesus in your life. But now I want to ask, what type of person are you to those in your life? Are you willing to be used by God in each of your relationships? Let’s pray to be a light to those in our lives. To extend grace and forgiveness. To be slow to speak and quick to listen. To allow God to speak through us as we abide in Him so that we will ultimately point people back to their Maker.
Reflect:
- Have you ever felt as though God used something that you said to give wisdom, guidance, or encouragement to someone else?
- How might you more willingly be used by God in the relationships in your life?
