Needing to Be KnownSample

When we first moved to Michigan a few years ago, we knew no one. We were starting over from scratch, with no friends or family nearby. I was grieving our old life and had no sense of community. Prior to this, we lived in our hometown, where we had built-in friendships, and in college, it was much easier to make friends, so this was a first for us. As I was walking through the grieving process that is moving across the country, I realized an inescapable truth: Community takes effort.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

Many people have given up on community because it takes energy and time. I’ll admit, there were times when I was unsure about meeting new people. However, after spending time with them, I felt my mood improve, and suddenly, my big problems did not seem so intimidating. We need friends to put things into perspective. We need to laugh, we need encouragement, and we need to be involved in another's life. It did not happen instantly, and I had a few meetings that did not grow into friendships, but the ones that did made the anxiety-inducing process worth it.

No one wants to be the one to make the first move, but in order to have friends, you first have to be one. Pursue friendship, follow the instructions in the above scripture, and do not give up on meeting. The author knew how crucial it was for the body to have one another.

Today’s challenge: Send a text, a notecard, or ask someone to coffee. You could be reaching out to a future best friend who changes the course of your life for the better.