Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Being reserved and quietly “introverted” my entire life, it isn’t unusual that I’ve been labeled unfairly from individuals who didn’t know me personally.
I’ve been called a “snob” at various times in my life. Especially while in school. I not only was shy but couldn’t see two feet ahead of me. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until fourth grade I learned I needed glasses. So not only was I unable to see two feet ahead of me I was shy, so it was a natural assumption that I was standoffish and snobby. Nothing was further than the truth!
God always had my back, my front and center. He was the go-to for all of my miseries, and all of my jubilations. He is the center of my Universe; He is MY Universe!
He designed me with His hands of grace. He knows I’m quiet. He knows what I need, what I can tolerate, and what I cannot. He has always provided and guided me through it all.
I’ve made a new friend in Christ, and we connected right away. Christ said, you will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16-23) and I knew this new friend was bearing fruits of Christ. So, to that end we clicked.
When two souls for Christ meet there is an instant connection, it is by the vine of Christ we are entangled. When we are in Christ, we share the same connection. Also, important to note is that Christ will bring others in and out of our lives for reasons. Sometimes it is for a moment, a season, or forever planted in your life.
Romans 12:4–5 — New Living Translation (NLT) Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
For me to reach out to someone I don’t “know” is outside of my comfort zone. I believe Christ is showing me a new world of “openness” in Him. That it is perfectly okay to seek others and share with them whatever He gives me to share. So, the Spirit placed a “need” for me to reach out to this new friend, and it was instant and a mutual road of ease, comfort and the beginning of a friendship.
Trusting in God to provide and show the pathways in life that are best to walk on is essential to our prowess as Christians. God is the counterbalance to my inert shyness; He is the extrovert behind the scenes in my journey.
Proverbs 3:4-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
He is showing me how to become more trusting, more open, and more adventurous in all I do, within reason. I guess the real message is, “trusting in Him even more than I ever have before in my entire life. ”
“Dear God, I trust You; I love You; I will follow You, guide my paths, bring me fully into Your fold of love and kindness, may I show Your reflection to those I encounter, today and all the days of my life, and thank You for new friends in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
To My Greatest Friend of All — My LORD and Savior—Jesus Christ!