Daily Journal: 6 April

Who Is Sitting

At Your Table?

Everyone needs to know the people at their table. The ones who look out for you and seek out your company. The ones who know what’s going on in your life and how you feel. The ones who care if you feel left out, or worn down. The ones who reach out when your feet are about to slide out from under you. The ones who are there to comfort you, encourage you, and expect you to rise up and meet the challenges you face. The ones who have your back.

Those are your people.

Without friends like that, walking through life becomes treacherous. We need friends who will hold on to us no matter what. Those we can share our weaknesses to without fear of judgment or ridicule. Those we know will respond with loving honesty and follow-up care.

Unmet, unspoken expectations can thwart the beauty of friendship at times. Be on guard against that. We all let each other down at times. Satan wants to disempower our friendships because he knows we are strengthened in them. Don’t listen to lies, ego, or stresses. Listen to your history with them, to the level of love they’ve shown in the past and let that guide your expectations for the future. If realistic expectations continue to be unmet, release those friendships from your table, with a blessing.

God is all about relationships. He pioneered life with them. He embodies relationship within the trinity, and has extended Himself to us, that we might be embraced within His network of power and love and grace. He gives us a trio of faith, hope and love to be nurtured by. We can build our friendships off these triangles of strength.

Know who you’re taking with you to where God is calling. Know who sees God’s vision for your life and prays with you that that will be fulfilled. Know who believes in you and reminds you who you are and where you’re going. Know who can help decipher the season you’re in and when the shift of season comes. Know the ones who trust the same from you.

Be grateful for the ones who show you grace as you grow. Be grateful for the ones who plant wisdom and balance in your journey. Seek out those you can listen to.

Know the ones who believe as you do. Know who is sitting at your table.

Luke 14:16-21 (NIV)

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

“The servant came back and reported this to his master.

I pray you'll be looking for friends you can trust to sit at your table, friends who are committed, and friends who will hold a seat for you at their table, too.