When I first started following Christ, I would often pray for divine connections. I had many friends that weren't Christian and no Christian friends and I was aware of the fact that the people you surround yourself with determine the quality and direction of your life. Now I did not abandon the friends I had made before knowing Christ, some of them no longer wanted a relationship with me and the rest are still my friends to this day. During this time, I was so hungry for friendships that centered around Him. I wanted to talk about Him, talk about His favour, His blessings, His character, convictions and so much more. So I prayed for divine connections and boy did He start bringing them into my life.
He brought into my life people who know and love Him passionately, people who desire to grow more and more Christ like every day, people who are accountable to themselves and others. It has been by far the biggest blessing to date that He has brought such Godly friends into my life. Through these friends, I have experienced true love, the kind of love where you are valued not for your behaviours but for who you are, just as you are, wherever you are at. I'd like to share a specific example with you about what this looks like. A couple of weeks ago, I met up with a friend who I admittedly thought was a little self focused at times. I know, I know, I can be the worst at times. A few months back I had shared with her that I often ask people a lot of questions about themselves as a means to protect myself from others getting to know me (something God continues working with me on). Rather than saying see you later to me, our friendship continued, she shared about her life openly and honestly. Little did I know that she had remembered what I had said from months ago and the last time we met it was time for her to be the one asking the questions.
My parents are in the process of divorcing and it has been a difficult and long couple of years. When sharing the most recent update, my friend asked whether I was ok, I went on to talk about my parents and again she redirected me to the question of whether or not I was ok (she shared after that she thought perhaps I hadn't heard the question). I think I have gotten so good at diversions that I don't recognize when I am doing them at times. I began responding to her question and she saw my heart that day and spoke to it. It broke me, I was crying in the restaurant, I am welling up now as I write this. For the first time in a very long time someone had seen me, seen my heart, seen my pain and rather than talk me out of my heart or tell me what I should be doing she just met me there and for that I am so grateful.
It took a lot of courage for her to point out the grief, anger, and hurt she was seeing in a way that was not condemning at all but gentle and full of grace. This is what divine connections look like, they show up, they see you, and they love you. It is my prayer for any of you reading this that God will bless you abundantly with divine friendships in your life. That those individuals He brings into your life will see your heart, hold you accountable when you are not doing this yourself, be obedient to God themselves, speak out of love and enrich your life in ways you never thought possible. My friend shone light into pieces of my heart that were dark that day and I am forever grateful. I am currently meeting with a Christian counsellor she recommended so that light can continue to be shone into those dark places of hurt and rejection that need healing. God uses many vessels to draw you nearer to Him and friendships are one of these vessels. To that end, I pray for deep, Christ centered relationships for you in His Almighty Name!
