So, my circle is very tight-knit. There are select few that I call friends. On the other hand, I have a host of associates. These would include coworkers, neighbors, and others that I see on occasion. I've kept people at arm's length simply because they are messy. People can be selfish or arrogant. They can be flaky and unreliable. Other times, people cease communicating for little to no reason. Relationships are risky. How can you be sure that it's a risk worth taking? In listening to a podcast the other day, the speaker made a profound statement about Jesus and his disciples. Let's look into how He chose to engage in relationships.
Jesus prayed all night asking God who to choose as His twelve disciples. Each of the four Gospels depict a different account of Jesus calling the twelve. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus chose the disciples following His encounter in the wilderness and a mighty move of miracles. John briefly mentions the choosing of Jesus' first few disciples. In Luke, we see a more detailed account. Here it expressly states that Jesus sought God's wisdom in picking His tribe. This seems extremely interesting when we consider who was included in that circle. Several of His disciples were hot-tempered and quick to fight (ie the Sons of Thunder and the Rock). Others had a history of dishonesty. Matthew was a tax-collector. Many of them charged people extra in taxes and keep part of the money for themselves. They were also seen as disloyal since they collected taxes for Rome. Another of Jesus' disciples would doubt Him. Peter disowned Him. And perhaps the ultimate injury was the betrayal of Judas with a kiss. How is it that God lead Him to such a motley crew?
Jesus knew the risk but chose to make it anyway. Each of the disciples lives were impacted by spending time with Jesus. It was undeniable, even despite the attempts of poor Peter. This is not to say that Jesus didn't use wisdom in His relationships. The fact that he chose only twelve out of the multiples speaks to this. He also had a group within the group. His inner circle experienced a closeness that the others did not. Even more exclusive was Jesus' relationship with John, the beloved disciple. John was so close to His heart that Jesus charged him with the care of His mother. Despite the different levels of intimacy, Jesus saw each relationship as valuable.
What can we learn from Jesus' example? First, He spent time in prayer before calling His disciples. How often do we consult God before investing in another person? When I was younger, I had complete trust in who God allowed to walk in and out of my life. Admittedly, I've now tried to control that more by placing guard rails up. Other times, I've tried to force a relationship that has run its course. Yet, when we surrender our friendships to God, He will bring the right people into our lives at the right time for the right purpose. Second, Jesus was selective in who He allowed in His inner circle. Not everyone deserves a place close to your heart. Trust should be earned with consistency instead of freely given from the beginning. The more time you spend getting to know someone, you'll discern if they are worthy of such a position.
Even though relationships are risky, they are worth it. Keep God at the center of your relationship choices. Use wisdom in perceiving who to allow in your inner circle. Some people help us mature into a better version of ourselves. Others gleam from light in our lives. Ultimately, God knows who we need and when we need them. He'll be an active participant in our relationships if we allow Him.
Be encouraged! :)
written by Christa Martina
FB Page: See Martina Write
Scripture References: Mt 4:18-21 (NLT) and Luke 6:12-16 (NLT)
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