God is in our friendships

Hello!

Today I shared at my school's cell group, and initially I wanted to post my sharing up here, but I've changed my mind, and I want to share what I learned through this cell instead. It's really funny, because I think God spoke more to me than through me.

"You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone." - Exodus 18:18

This was the verse that God put in my heart for sharing, and I wanted to discuss how we can't undertake every task alone, and we need the support of like-minded friends, and God. (This verse was God telling Moses, who had assumed the position of settling every dispute, that he couldn't be in charge of everything, and had to learn to delegate. Moses then selected the most trustworthy and wise people to be in charge of handling smaller disagreements.)

But honestly, for whatever reason (and I could give you many), my sharing was flat and disengaging. Even I didn't feel very connected to what I was saying.

I opened up the floor for discussion (I threw out the question "do you feel like you have friends who will support you, or do you feel alone?"), and there were two captivating responses that I'd like to share.

The first was Jianing's. She gave us the analogy of a triangle; you and your friend are at the bottom two corners, and God is the topmost corner. If both you and your friend are working towards God, then you'll eventually arrive at the same point. And this is how you grow close to your friends!

The second was Rachel's. (Rachel had a sore throat, so I really have to say how blessed I am that she decided to speak up) Rachel emphasized that as much as you should be the friend you want to have (a point that I shared), the ultimate goal is to be a friend that God wants you to be. And I think that was a wonderful point, a point that I had conveniently skipped over.

So, yes. God is in our friendships, in a much more integral way than I used to think. He isn't just a support; he's the reason for human relationships of all kinds, and leaving him out of any friendship is confusing and jarring. He is why our friendships work out, and I hope I'll continue to see this.

Because, yes, humans are textured creatures; to be friends, we have to connect on many, many different levels, and gradually accumulate a repertoire of shared experiences. But the one overarching constant, the one string that holds the fabric of our being together, is God. And that makes everything so much easier; you need to strive for God, and things will fall into place.

It's really, really amazing.

I'll write again soon! God bless you guys!