#SQAUDPIC

By Nia Moreau

When I was little, I was a juvenile delinquent. Okay...that may be a slight exaggeration. BUT I did begin to be homeschooled in the 4th grade because I got into trouble at school a lot. I wish I could say it was because I did some really heinous crime, but sadly it was only because I talked to much. My teacher would ask me to stop, and I would for a couple of minutes, but then I’d forget about it and be back it again in a matter of a few minutes. She even tried moving me to a table of all boys, so that I’d be less tempted to talk I guess. Didn’t work, I just made new friends over there, and then got them in trouble too! If social media had been around I bet I would have been taking selfies with my new bff’s!

Needless to say, I’ve never had an issue making friends. I have however had an issue making GODLY friends. Throughout high school this was fine by me, because well my faith was kind of secondary and I didn’t really think that was very important criteria for a friend. However, when I got to college my life was drastically changed because I begin to pursue a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. This affected every area of my life, my future school plans, work, friends, family even. I came to place where I felt extremely isolated, some of it because I was having to rebuild my friendships, and some because people drew away from me. It was in that time that I fully recognized the importance of community. How crucial it was to my betterment as a follower of Jesus. It was in that time that a friend, told me “You’re not an island. We are meant to fellowship”. So I begin to reach out, and surround myself with like minded people. A change that may seem so small, was one of the single biggest reasons why I am where I am today!

READ HEBREWS 10:24-25

I used to do exactly what this verse said and “neglect” meeting together. I didn’t think it was essential to my faith, and growing as a Christian. I’m here to tell you that one of my greatest realizations about my faith came from a prayer night with my youth group. I almost missed it too, because I was convinced it was stupid and didn’t matter if I went or not, I could pray on my own. But a friend was insistent, persistent and consistent about asking me week in and week out. I am not exaggerating when I say that night changed my life.

Try reaching out to someone this week, just for something simple like a game of basketball, or grabbing fro yo (if anyone refuses that rebuke them in Jesus name!), and then step back and watch how the Lord can use relationships built on Godly influence in your life!