As an introvert I love times of solitude. I’m not going to lie, for me personally, elements of the Covid lockdowns were some of the best months in my life to date! Not having to come up with creative ways to explain why I just don’t feel like going out to see people. Going for long walks every morning and still being on time for work because the journey from my bedroom to my office (aka desk with a laptop) was such a short commute. Loved it!
There’s lots of research out there on introverts, and we’re not all the same, but my love for re-energising solitude doesn’t mean I’m a hermit who doesn’t need friends. Quite the opposite. I’m not bragging, but God has blessed me with a lot of friends. I just kind of accumulate them. Many of them started as friends-of-friends. You probably know the sort; you know them through other friends and consider them a friend, but actually only see each other in the context of that wider friendship group. But I could count on one hand the truly special friends who I know intimately and who know me likewise. It’s a different kind of friendship. I’ve invested time in getting to know them individually, and they me.
So, what is the point of this self-indulgent story in a church e-news article!? If you’ve not already guessed a theme, I’ll get you there, I promise.
I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with Jesus and the journey we’ve been taking as Freedom church to grow our roots down and sit at Jesus’ feet, as we move into the next season, whatever that may look like.
Is Jesus a friend-of-a-friend, who I just meet up with every Sunday and at other church events, but not during the week on my own? Or do I take time in my week to engage with God personally and get to know Him outside of the friendship group I know Him through?
Am I expecting the people “up front” to give me food for thought to show me who Jesus is, week-in, week-out?
I extend these same challenges to you.
Are you expecting to get your knowledge of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit from Mike, Lizi, SmEx leaders, service hosts, Pastoral support, Community Ministry leaders, CAP centre managers, Kintsugi facilitators, Honeypot Café volunteers, worship enthusiasts, Freedom staff, church friends or any of the other wonderful people and groups we have as part of the Freedom Family?
There is no judgement from me if you are. It’s very much how “church” seems to have evolved over many years. But God has a you-shaped purpose that only you can fulfil (Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11, to suggest a few examples to back this up). Are you missing out? If we’re relying on someone else’s friendship with Jesus, how will we learn what our own part in the bigger Kingdom plan is?
I appreciate how hard this can be though. So I thought I would wrap up these gentle challenges with some practical tips that have helped me. I should explain, this is coming from someone who actually doesn’t like reading their bible. There, I’ve said it… I don’t like reading! And where do you even start with a book as big as the bible?? (Spoiler alert, the Gospels… but that derails the point of my next section so forget I said that for now… ;-))
Practical tips for getting to know Jesus more.
I’m far from perfect, but I have really tried to cultivate a personal relationship and friendship with Jesus. It’s really hard sometimes. I can’t always be bothered to get my bible out. But thankfully there are so many great ways to engage. I’ve listed some here…. It’s not exhaustive. I don’t take credit. Some I’ve found myself; others have been shared with me over the years. Feel free to share your own recommendations with your SmEx groups or on church chat or wherever - above all, encourage each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11). It’s not about shaming people for not being good Christians (shame is not from God), it’s about encouraging each other as followers of Jesus to fulfil our positions in the Kingdom.(Click HERE to download tips for getting to know Jesus more)
Let’s be honest, if you made it through this essay, I would hazard a guess that you can definitely find time to try one of the suggestions above in waaayyyy less time!
Be blessed.
Hannah W,
Disciple of Jesus, SmEx leader, daughter, sister, auntie, friend, caretaker of cats.
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