Similarly, when I first had a baby I started noticing other babies and their moms everywhere that I went. Again, I saw them at the mall, the doctor's office, church, etc. If they were there I inevitably noticed them. Did this help me or make much of a difference in my life? Not really to be honest. However, it was completely different when I first became a Christian and I understood the significance of what Jesus had done for me. The relationship I was walking into with God made me want to find other people who knew Him and trusted Him the way I did. The connection I could have with them was out of this world and it still is. My Christian friends are normal people like me but they breathe so much life and love and encouragement into me, as well as my relationship with the Lord that my other friends and acquaintances simply can't.
Without the relationships I have with other believers I can't tell you where I would be today. I am quite certain that my walk with the Lord would have floundered much more than it has. And when I read the Bible it helps me understand why. Simply put, we aren't meant to live the Christian life alone. Some of us already know that, and some of us are still learning. However, the Bible seems to be quite clear in this respect. We learn in Genesis that after God created Adam, He created Eve. His reason: "It is not good for the man to be alone," (Genesis 2:18). So many times I think we are tempted to believe that we are better off alone, but we are not. In the book of Ecclesiastes King Soloman said: "Two are better than one. . . Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves," (Eccles. 4:9,12). I don't know about you but sometimes I am weak minded or weak willed. I can be very strong minded and very strong willed too, but on those weak and distracted days it helps so much to have a friend who will point me back toward God, back to the cross, and back to the truth. These friends are so close they seem like family and truly they are! My dad is probably the person I know who most regularly refers to another believer as his brother or sister in Christ. He usually follows up his familial greeting to them with a bear like hug. I love it! It is such a change from the lost and closed off man he was before he knew the Lord. Now he just radiates the love of Christ. It's amazing.
If you have ever felt alone, I want you to know most important of all that God is ALWAYS with you. You are never really alone. He says in His word, "He will never leave you, nor forsake you." I pray that you will take great comfort and find much peace in that. However, I also hope that you will search for strong Christian friends who love, know, and live for the Lord as you walk forward in your relationship with Him.
You cannot live the Christian life alone. At least not very successfully. Thankfully, you can find other believers practically anywhere! The Bible says you will know them by their "fruit." That is just a special way of describing the good things that we display to the world when we have accepted the Lord, have been given God's Spirit, and are growing in our relationship with God. The fruit of the Spirit are things like.. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. See, Galations 5:22-23. And who doesn't want a friend like that? No believer is perfect but many of my Christian friends who are walking with the Lord display these attributes quite regularly. Another thing you might notice when meeting another believer is that that they may share about the things Jesus is doing in their heart or life quite openly. If you are having trouble finding friends like this, please don't give up. The cost is far too great. Seriously.
Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 18:22, "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."
I moved when I got married and ever since I have been trying to find and build relationships with more believers in my new town. Sometimes it's been an uphill battle but I know the rewards will far outweigh the trouble. I found one of my new Christian friends in my natural child birthing class before Grayson was born. I found a few of them at my church in Bible studies and the local MOPS group. And I found another in my next door neighbor! I am sure that God has people somewhere close to you who He is planning to breath life, love and encouragement into you through. Please, don't ever give up. And do not walk alone. It's not worth the trouble. Finding Godly friends, however? That is certainly worth the trouble!
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