Devotion: The Starting Point
Please take a moment and read the scripture from this weekend 1 Peter 5:6-11
In our current Worship Series, “Never Enough”, we are talking about children who are under enormous pressure to succeed in life. It leads them to feel like they don’t matter and are, therefore, “never enough“. When I first heard about the series, I wondered how I would relate to it since my children are grown. I wondered if it would apply to me. Spoiler… it does!
As I joined many of you in reading the book “Never Enough” by Jennifer Wallace, I found that I was convicted in some areas and wondered if I (ironically) had been “enough” for my kids. But then I realized that the strategies offered in the book could apply not just to my children, but to my relationships with all those who are close to me including my friends, family, coworkers and students! Eventually, I started looking for what I could heal in myself that would lead to ways that I could better care for others.
This weekend, Pastor Greg brought this point into his message. The book talks at length about how we need to take care of ourselves so that we can best care for others. What I found most interesting was the foundation of friendships and how they are so important to our mental health! Wallace calls it “The Friendship Solution” and offers that investing in rich relationships can bring out the best in us, so then we can bring our best selves to others. How true is that? How do you feel after you’ve processed your daily annoyances over coffee with a friend? Or reminisced and laughed with your college buddies? Or cried together after being vulnerable and sharing about the hardest thing you’re facing? It’s therapeutic to be with friends! By helping each other “reset” you can better offer strength, grace and love to the people who need you the most.
Our scripture reading reminds us to humble ourselves before God. To cast our anxiety on him because he cares for us. (1 Peter 5:6–7) God cares so much for us that he has placed special people in our lives. Our task is to work on those friendships and intentionally invest in them to harvest the good that comes from being in community with each other. God gave us friendships so that we can be vulnerable and care for each other. Let’s not waste such a good gift!
Gracious Father,
Thank you for all the things you give to us, including our friends! Help us to cultivate our relationships with intention. Help us to be vulnerable and compassionate. Grow our relationships and grow our hearts, so we can be a better example of you. In your mighty, precious and saving Son’s name.
Amen.
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridan’s Devotion Writing Team. She works as Sheridan’s Children’s Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God.
Julie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.