Ode to New Friends

I’ve recently moved to a city stationed next to a beautiful lake in suburban DFW to pursue ministry training within my local church alongside 21 other young adults. Within the first month I can safely say this has been and will be one of the greatest adventures of my life. I’ve experienced individuals hailing from all corners of the US, spiritual vibrancy across the generations, a church longing for God to move, and a community of love that spurs one another on towards love and good works. 

May these words be a nourishment to your soul and edify your mind. To those with whom I will learn the Scriptures, study leadership principles, feast on Domino's pizza, and ultimately lock arms so that the kingdom of God would come down to earth as it is in heaven, may these words encourage you. Blessings friends.

JOYFUL LIVING

A smile is one of the most contagious things on earth and I’ve been abundantly blessed with people around me who share this gift often. One friend of mine erupts in laughter that mirrors a hyena, another smiles with a hearty chuckle and a face as bright as a tomato, and another whose laugh strikes the air with piercing volume for all to hear. And I love it. Every time I hear one of them laugh, my heart shines a little brighter. 

My natural tendency is either towards a melancholy vibe or making jokes that could be a little wild with a semi-serious demeanor to confuse others on if I’m joking or not, but seldom do I have this sort of bright joy that these friends have. Yet they are one of the clearest examples of joy I’ve ever seen. These friends take the call to be joyful from God with complete seriousness in the best way possible. Because joy is easy when circumstances are right, the weather is perfect, and all is as it should be, but some of them I’ve had the privilege of seeing remain steadfast in joy even when their inner life was disturbed by a situation that would throw most people for a loop. 

May God make more happy and joyful people like my friends in the residency. The world would be much brighter if we modeled our lives like these faithful followers of Jesus.

A SPIRIT OF WISDOM

It doesn't take much to be a person who speaks often and listens little, but to do the opposite is to be a person who sits with God, and there are those in this residency program who model this so well. The outer disposition of their soul is reflected in the way they listen to the person across from them without hurry, respond with questions rather than judgements, and seek to hear from God before they allow words to leave their lips.

Most of my life was not lived this way and even now as I attempt to practice this, I fall short more often than I’d like to admit. Yet there are those around me who sit with God well.  The world we live in is fast-paced, busy, and unable to slow down so that our souls can catch up with our bodies, yet those around me live at a pace slow enough that God is able to speak to them with clarity and guide their steps rather than having to backtrack due to walking without God. These friends may know more than others, but they also have the wisdom to share rather than cast judgment for lack of knowledge. They know that knowledge is not the goal, but union with God is.

May God make more wise people like my friends in the residency. The world would be a little more compassionate, slow to speak, and eager to care for those around them if we modeled our lives like these faithful followers of Jesus.

PEACEMAKERS

Do you ever meet people who instantly make you feel like you’re at home? God has blessed this program with those who have this gift. An experience with one of them shaped my whole attitude towards the program on the very first night I was here.

I had just moved into the apartment the church was providing for us and was a bit shaken up. I was longing to keep the life I had while also stepping into a new season realizing this just wasn’t possible. With tears in my eyes I entered the apartment doors, set my stuff in my room, and in came the peacemaker who happened to be my roommate. I typically don’t show or receive love through physical touch but on this particular night, all I wanted was a hug and affirmation – lo and behold, this was the exact way my roommate loved to show affection. He walked into my room, looked me in the eyes and said “I love you,” and proceeded to hug me. My soul was at peace. As soon as he left the room I sobbed thanking God for this moment and specifically this person. Encounters with peacemakers helped me feel right at home with a simple smile and asking me genuinely how I was doing. I honestly don’t know what I would do without the peacemakers who just make life that much sweeter.

May God make more peacemakers like my friends in this residency. This world would be a little bit safer and sweeter if we were to mirror our lives like these faithful followers of Jesus.

PRAYER

Thank you for these wonderful friends, God. In a world full of chaos and malice, I thank you for providing those who cherish righteousness and justice while welcoming the kingdom of God into their everyday life. May I continue to be enriched by the wellspring of their deep faith, in the process of this may we all be those enamored by the love of God and flow out into the future ministries that lay before us. Amen.