Iron Sharpens Iron
Devotional
READ: Proverbs 27:17
Our verse today always gives me a mental picture of two swords clanging together. I have no idea if that is how iron sharpens iron, but it’s the image I get. Perhaps you will see a similar picture in your head. However, I also get the mental image of elbows rubbing together, handshakes, hugs, and pats on the back. A picture of people being up close and personal. A picture of people being in community.
Recently, I celebrated a milestone birthday. You know, one of those birthdays with a “0” in it. One of my daughters took it upon herself to plan a surprise birthday party. Somehow, she connected with and invited folks from my different communities: school, church, small group, neighbors, Bunco gal pals, and family. And many of them showed up! As I mingled at the party, I kept thinking that my worlds collided as family and friends who previously didn’t know each other visited and connected. It was cool and a little surreal at the same time, but it gave me a great appreciation for the communities I have become a part of. Each is separate and unique, but each is meaningful and impactful. Although I try to make a purposeful effort to bring Christ with me into each community I am a part of, the communities that are the most meaningful and impactful to me are those with people with whom I share a common faith.
Of all the communities you may be involved in, make sure some are intimate and made up of other disciples of Christ because discipleship communities are priceless. They are communities where spiritual interactions are welcomed, where members challenge one another and hold each other accountable, where members comfort and help one another, and where members encourage and speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and to our God and Father (Colossians 3:16).
We should also recognize that the body of Christ--the church--is an entire universe of opportunities for community. If you are blessed to be part of a church like ours with ample opportunities to get connected and involved with other believers, take advantage of that! If your church community is small and lacks options to connect with others, then YOU be the one to start a small group, a Sunday school class, a Bible memorization group, or an outreach ministry.
There is still so much to do regarding furthering God’s kingdom here on earth and making disciples of all nations. It seems like a daunting task at times, but it will happen with one person connecting to another, one disciple teaching another person to become a disciple. I believe it can and will happen. Do you?
Our verse today always gives me a mental picture of two swords clanging together. I have no idea if that is how iron sharpens iron, but it’s the image I get. Perhaps you will see a similar picture in your head. However, I also get the mental image of elbows rubbing together, handshakes, hugs, and pats on the back. A picture of people being up close and personal. A picture of people being in community.
Recently, I celebrated a milestone birthday. You know, one of those birthdays with a “0” in it. One of my daughters took it upon herself to plan a surprise birthday party. Somehow, she connected with and invited folks from my different communities: school, church, small group, neighbors, Bunco gal pals, and family. And many of them showed up! As I mingled at the party, I kept thinking that my worlds collided as family and friends who previously didn’t know each other visited and connected. It was cool and a little surreal at the same time, but it gave me a great appreciation for the communities I have become a part of. Each is separate and unique, but each is meaningful and impactful. Although I try to make a purposeful effort to bring Christ with me into each community I am a part of, the communities that are the most meaningful and impactful to me are those with people with whom I share a common faith.
Of all the communities you may be involved in, make sure some are intimate and made up of other disciples of Christ because discipleship communities are priceless. They are communities where spiritual interactions are welcomed, where members challenge one another and hold each other accountable, where members comfort and help one another, and where members encourage and speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and to our God and Father (Colossians 3:16).
We should also recognize that the body of Christ--the church--is an entire universe of opportunities for community. If you are blessed to be part of a church like ours with ample opportunities to get connected and involved with other believers, take advantage of that! If your church community is small and lacks options to connect with others, then YOU be the one to start a small group, a Sunday school class, a Bible memorization group, or an outreach ministry.
There is still so much to do regarding furthering God’s kingdom here on earth and making disciples of all nations. It seems like a daunting task at times, but it will happen with one person connecting to another, one disciple teaching another person to become a disciple. I believe it can and will happen. Do you?
Personal Reflection
What kind of communities are you involved in? Are any of them communities with people who share your faith? Are you in a discipleship relationship
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