Growing Together
1 John 4:7-12
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
Your relationships are sacred spaces where transformation happens, where God's love becomes tangible, and where we slowly become more like Jesus. They serve as mirrors, challenges, and invitations to deeper understanding. Some people will accelerate your growth, while others might inadvertently hold you back. The key is developing spiritual awareness about the relational ecosystem you're cultivating. Who challenges you to grow? These are the relationships that push you beyond your comfort zone, that see potential in you even when you can't see it yourself. They're the friends who ask the hard questions, who aren't afraid to speak truth with love, and who believe in your capacity for transformation. Who sees your potential? These are the rare souls who look beyond your current circumstances andrecognize the unique calling God has placed on your life. They're the ones who speak life into your dreams, who remind you of your identity in Christ when you've forgotten, and who consistently see the best version of yourself.
Who creates space for your true self to show up? In a world of masks and performances, these relationships are sacred. They're the connections where you can be completely authentic—broken, healing, struggling, growing—without fear of judgment. They provide a sanctuary of acceptance where you can breathe, be vulnerable, and experience genuine love. Who helps you become more like Christ? These are the relationships that aren't just comfortable, but transformative. They're marked by spiritual intentionality—friends who pray with you, who challenge you spiritually, who walk alongside you in your faith journey, and who reflect God's character in tangible ways. Redemptive relationships are sacred ground where healing happens, where wounds are transformed, and where God's love becomes tangibly real. Your spiritual formation happens in community. It's in the shared moments—the conversations, the challenges, the prayers, the silent understandings—that you're being shaped.
Now, take some time to consider your connections with others and the direction you hope your relationships head in the new year. Think of the questions below as prompts to get you started. Don’t feel the pressure to answer every one, but challenge yourself to think and consider the part you play in working toward togetherness.
How is the condition of your heart expressing itself in your relationships? How would you describe the current condition of your relationships?
Who is a trusted other you need to give permission to speak into your life? How can they support you as you take steps to become the person God created you to be?
Who are you (or could you be) breathing value and worth into? Is there someone else you feel God calling you to connect with more deeply?
During this experience, chances are good a few people came to mind. Maybe it was an individual who has supported, cared for, and shown up for you over the past year. Perhaps God also placed someone on your heart that needs you in their corner in that same way. We encourage you to close out this section by reaching out to them and scheduling a time in the new year to meet, whether in person, online, or over the phone, to express your appreciation for their influence and love, or to let them know that you are there for them.