We’re looking at “building blocks” for soul growth. This week’s theme is the Building Block of Connection.
Today’s scripture: Ecclesiasticus 6:14-17 (NRSV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Brent Walsh):
Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure.
There have been times in the past when I’ve been single and “looking” and some well-intentioned person would ask, “So, what do you look for in a girl?” With a dreamy look in my eye, I would run down my list of qualities I would want in a potential life partner. Things like kindness, loyalty, trustworthiness, faithfulness, communication, and honesty would top the list followed by the more shallow but still important attributes. Creating a list like this is a well-known technique for finding your “perfect match.”
Have you ever made a list of desirable qualities like this when buying a car? Looking for a new career? Making wedding plans? Choosing a travel destination? What about when evaluating a friendship?
Now, I know you might be thinking — sometimes friendships just form out of nowhere, and sometimes with people you might never have expected to become friends with. But they don’t have to begin with chance encounters. I think we can increase our odds of finding faithful friends if we begin by looking in the right places.
Kindness, loyalty, and honesty are a starting point in my own friendship compatibility list. So where do I find folks like that? Though you can certainly find people with those qualities in volunteer groups, community organizations, and other worthwhile places — maybe even at work or just down the street — I think the most natural place to look would be at church. People who share my faith, which is so central to me and is the basis for the kindness, loyalty, and honesty I seek, would be the first I’d try to connect with.
And that’s not easy. I have to be willing to put out the same honesty, loyalty, and kindness that I hope to find.
At Jesus MCC (and I hope in your church, too, if you’re not in central Indiana) there are all kinds of groups — ministry teams, Oasis, classes — that give us places to find this kind of connection, to offer acceptance and kindness to others as we receive it back.
Thought for the day: Where will you find those connections that will sustain you — and allow you to help and encourage others?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.