ACTIVATION

“We have done so much, with so little, for so long, that now we can do anything with nothing.” — Mother Theresa

Have you ever made a major life change, and then found yourself in a less-than-ideal situation? Your new boss has a screw loose. Your new neighbors don’t have nearly the same funny friend-group potential of your last ones. Your new lunch buddies are stiff and boring compared to your last workplace. The task or location itself was an upgrade, but the people that came with it are a bummer.

When we reach decision points in life, there are cost/benefit assessments we make. Whatever the material benefit, though, it is hard to overestimate the effects of the people involved in your environment. An intangible, yet one vitally important to well-being.

When our new relationships seem slow-growing compared to the easy, natural connection of old ones, it can be incredibly disheartening. Sometimes the issue lies not with the loser in the cubicle next to us, but rather with the person in ours. The way Jesus built a team out of a rag-tag assortment of Average Joes encourages us to bloom where planted, no matter how unnatural the soil might seem.

The disciples weren’t great guys to begin with. Jesus activated them. He spent time with them, talked to them about their dreams, listened to their fears. He loved them, transforming them into a force to be reckoned with.

He says that we have this power, and obligation, too: “Love one another as I have loved you.” With his example, we are equipped to activate those in our environment, dissolving superficial social barriers in the process. We bring the love, after seeing how he loved. He does the rest. How it blesses the Father to see His children loving one another.

What is your biggest fear about new friendships?
What mental fences are you using to rule out potential friendships?
Whom could you befriend?

Hollis