As I was sitting yesterday in the Student Commons on campus, talking with a friend of mine who works with Campus Outreach, I really got to reflect on how awesome it is to have those people in your life that point you back to God. I know it has helped me in so many ways here in college and as a Midshipman, but also when I was in high school. Matter of fact, when I sit back and think about it, if it wasn't for those Godly friends that would always encourage me and point me back to God, who knows where I would be right now and how much my faith would have gone by the wayside. It's opened up my eyes to the true value of having those Godly friendships in your life. Just to shoot off a few things, it helps significantly with different struggles you maybe having, temptations, addictions, etc. But it also is an encouragement to hang around people who are like minded and want to honor God with their lives. Helps you to have fun without having to do stupid stuff.
Going through high school, I struggled with a lot of different things. Stress about school and getting into college, getting everything turned in on time, things sometimes going on at home, and of course temptations of various sorts that comes with being a teenager and being human. It got me down at times. However, it was friends and mentors that brought me up, people that had been through the same stuff I had, or were going through it too. People that would give me wisdom that you knew was what God wanted them to say to me. It really encouraged me and helped me to stay strong in my faith through difficult times. Matter of fact, if we check out Ecclesiastes chapter 4, King Solomon talks about relying on one another.
"Two are better than one,Because they have a good reward for their labor.10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.But woe to him who is alone when he falls,For he has no one to help him up.11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;But how can one be warm alone?12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
It's amazing how true that is. When we go through stuff together, we are stronger, and we can encourage each other to turn back to God. That idea of threefold cord, you, a friend and God, can't be easily broken. Matter of fact, it won't be. Find that person to help bear your burdens with you (Galatians 6:2). It's a huge encouragement.
