By: Lauren Maloney

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Romans 1:12

My father used to say, “If you hang out with four broke friends, you’re going to become the fifth broke friend.” I used to laugh when he said that, thinking it didn't matter whom I spent time with because I was a leader, not a follower. While that may be true for casual settings, you do become like those you spend your time with. It even says in Proverbs to not befriend angry people, or you will be like them and endanger your soul. There is a difference between being broke and being an angry individual, but the idea implies that you become who you have in your community. We should strive to have people in our lives who build us up and help us grow closer to Jesus Christ. Ask yourself if the people you are surrounding yourself with are encouraging you to grow your faith in Christ.

In my twenties, none of the people I hung around were following Jesus. My friends could be a lot of fun in the moment, but were also individuals I couldn’t trust to keep a secret or want the best for me. It’s not that they were terrible people, but none of us put Christ first, which meant we were putting ourselves first. Back then, community to me meant people who would be the most fun that night and knew the best bar or party to go to. It felt normal to not trust people in my life, so I would keep most things to myself. I didn’t feel that I was living in sin because everyone around me was living the same way.

The church encourages us to join a group and build community. They encourage this because there is nothing more essential than identifying the individuals whom God intends to be a part of your life. God sends us people to do life with, not only to keep us on a straight path but also pray with us and for us: people who care about you enough to hold you accountable, and are trustworthy enough to confess your sins to. God blessed me with an amazing group of friends whom I met attending Beautiful Mondays at Grace Family Church. My community fits perfectly in my life: Our husbands get along and our kids are all friends. God made this perfect path for me to walk, and I am forever grateful. Even sitting here now, I am still in awe of how He silently moves in our lives, making His plan and purpose come to light.

When I began putting Jesus first, I found myself surrounded by a community of friends who did the same. It’s valuable to have a community who chases after Jesus and who keep their eyes focused on Him. We’re able to be each other’s encouragement when we need it most. Romans 1:12 says, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” We get to do life together, raise our children together and continue to grow in Christ together. Jesus healed a paralyzed man because of the faith of his friends, and that is the importance of being in a good community: having people who will pick you up and take you to be healed.