No one who has been walking with Jesus should look the same as they did even a year ago, let alone 10 years ago. And I say that because, growth in the Kingdom is a given. Either we grow forward or we grow backward, but it is impossible to stay in the same position without some type of change in our lives.
We all grow in different ways—some are little minions of
their pastor—hanging on every word and believing everything they say, drinking
only milk. Others are thinkers and study
the Word of God. Then there are those of us, who maybe once studied a little
more than we do now, and we are trying to live on “yesterday’s” ah-ha moment, versus a “today” revelation. And there is a group of us who fall into the—if
you don’t use it, you start to lose it category. It all boils down to one
thing—individual growth. Either we move forward or we move backward—but some
type of movement is going to happen either way.
Over the years I’ve come to see that it’s okay to not want
to embrace everyone that comes into your life for more than a minute. The truth
is—sometimes that is all they are supposed to be there for. But then there are the
people we think will be there forever and surprisingly enough there comes a
time we must let go. Now that’s a hard one for me—because I don’t want to let
go!
When I was an inner-city missionary I helped all types of
women with all kinds of problems, and to date I have no friendships or contacts
with any of them. It did take time for me to learn to not be hurt and take it personally
as they moved on; never looking back once the assistance I provided was no longer
needed. It did take time and growth on my part to understand I was only a
stepping stone God had placed in their lives. I learned to not hold them
tightly and let go when it was time.
God still uses me in that way, but now He seems to be making
some new changes and I don’t like it.
I hate to say this, “I am not good with change, even when it
is for the better.” But I know that I am
not in the minority either. And I say this because every time Facebook makes a
change it just reinforces for me, how much we as human beings, must be dragged
kicking and screaming when it comes to anyone messing with and changing that
which is familiar to us—especially God!
But you know, God is God, and He is going do whatever He
deems to be best for us, whether we like it or not!
There is a big project I’ve been working on and it could
really change my life in a big way. Exactly what that change will look like—I
don’t know. But I do know it’s going to be more than I could ever
imagine—that’s for sure! And I’m excited about that, but what I didn’t expect
were some of the changes the Lord is making now in preparation for what’s to
come. He’s weeding out people and changing the position that some have held in
my life.
The funny thing though, it has all been very subtle.
I have a long time friend who I have just recently realized how
much we have grown apart. But there hasn’t been anything bad or harmful that
has happened between us, it is as simple as growing in different directions We
still have Jesus in common, but no longer on the same level.
Friends grow in different ways—together—apart—and some of us
grow while the other goes backwards. And when we grow apart or even faster than
the other it can have an effect on a relationship and change our core group of
friends.
Sisters, sometimes friends just pass away, and it is not
through death of the body, but a slow redefining of the relationship. No one is
angry, and you still love and care for the person, it’s just God’s way of
saying, “The purpose is served.”
Probably all of us have had friendships we thought would be
a part of our lives until death do us part—but that is not always what God has
in store. A 10, 15, even 20 year old friendship can have a God given expiration
date before anyone leaves this earth. And you will know it’s Him because there
will not be a falling out of any sort—it will just slowly begin to slip away.
Sisters, if you are experiencing a season where God is
making change in your relationships and friendships—follow His lead and let go.
I don’t know why God is moving things around and changing placement of some
people and moving others out? But I’ve decided not to spend any more time
trying to figure it out and just trust the pruning process.
Letting go is not easy, especially when it is a relationship
that has been a good one that has stood the test of time. We may never
understand God’s reason, but the truth is—all relationships (marriage, friends,
work, church and family) have an expiration date. It just may not be the one we
had hoped for.
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