So last night I went to sleep about 1am wayyyy to early so of course so I began to think about 'seasonal relationships'. I'm basically sharing my thoughts so here I go lol. Often on social networks I hear people, and even myself, say some friends are 'seasonal'. I agree to a certain extent. At the same time during some of those friendships the parties involved make a covenant with each other. As I am growing more I'm understanding how serious covenant is to God. It's not something that is easily broken or dismissed. So what am I saying? I'm saying that we say things like 'that was a seasonal friendship, God had to remove her/him from my life'. Are we really saying that 'I can't deal with this person' 'I give up on them' 'She/he is not loveable so I'm out'??? Are we covering up the fact that we lack real, true, faithful, loyal, 'through different types of weather' endurance? Are we covering up the fact that we don't know how to love??? When something/someone doesn't look like the love that is pictured in our life are we just 'covering it up' by saying....'It's okay God for me to leave this friendship/covenant because it is seasonal'?
Really think about it? We didn't leave that person when we needed them! When our marriage was in trouble, when our self esteem was low, when we doubted our purpose, when freaking was more satisfying than worship, when we didn't have a job, when we needed prayer, when no one understood, when our children didn't act like they knew God, when you doubted you could provide, when mustard seed faith was only a hope!!!! We didn't say those friends were seasonal when we needed what they had to offer!!!! Were they seasonal when we needed prayer and they did just that??
Now that some of use have got a little bit of our purpose, the kids are alright, the children are calling, the job said 'yes', we get spirit filled, got a lil money, marriage is fresh, your prayer life is pretty good, etc etc now that same friend who labored in the spirit is now 'SEASONAL'??? I don't know. Sounds a 'wishy washy' to me. Now that their character, attitude, and or behavior may not be 'Christ-like' they are a hinderance. o_O They're all of a sudden 'seasonal'. *shrugs* Maybe we're seasonal...in and out of peoples lives. Maybe we're not consistent. Maybe we don't know how to love consistently through all seasons. Just maybe!
We must build relationship that have salt in them! That can be preserved and endure. Something that doesn't loose its flavor! Time out for 'no salt seasonal' relationship. Because so many of our relationships/friendships don't have any salt-when it begins to taste bland and ordinary we blame God like 'well you know some people just can't go with me to the next level' and that's kinda true but are you the reason that they can't go? Did you break covenant with them? How do you know if you broke covenant? If the other person didn't know they were seasonal. In the natural if you want to end an agreement with a company prematurely you must let them know but that doesn't mean there won't be additional fees. Some of what we call 'seasonal' is us breaking covenant prematurely because we don't understand how to love.
This what I was meditating on at 5am this morning....yeah exactly!!!!!!!! I didn't do a exegesis of every thought I shared...I'm just simply sharing :). Hopefully this will help a bit.
Blogtastically,
Shepherdess
Good blog. I'm currently going through this as we speak. You touched on a few points that I myself wonder about. I'm torn between some friendships because I just started seeing and understanding the purpose God has on my life. I understand that not everyone will have their calling at the same time or for the same purpose; however, in growing, my "old" friends still do the things I dont desire anymore. I feel we are going in directions. I am a true friend and when I think about the mercy Jesus showed me, I want to reciprocate the mercy. I feel as though old friends will bring up the old you and will keep you in the situation that you are fighting to get out of. I don't want to act "holier than thou" but I feel we should put a bookmark on our friendship and close the book and open it back up when we are on the same page. I feel like I need to find "new" friends that I can pray with versus somebody to party with. Being a ex-homosexual, I can't giv my friend advice on him and his boyfriend because I dont agree with their lifestyle anymore. He'll say I'm judging when Im speaking the truth. He'll throw my past n my face which can make me question my own progress, a tool of the enemy. I feel like I need to separate from them until I'm stronger n my faith to where they cant persuade me backslide. Yes I can pray for them but I feel oppressed when I have to sit and listen to all the sinning they do and nothing I say is being processed. I'm not saying I'm sinless but I'm trying to sin less. So how do u think I should handle the situation?
ReplyDelete*typo* I meant to say I feel we are going in OPPOSITE directions &
ReplyDeletepersuade me TO backslide.
Again thanks for reading and for opening up about your situation. That's awesome! My reply would be this, that the 'salt' that I was referring to should preserve and keep flavor. Another aspect of salt is that it burns wounds that are open! For example: have you ever had a cut on your finger and got ketchup or salt in it? It stings! So if the salt that your friends bring cause you to be stung then it's best to do what you were saying, back away and allow God to continue the process of sanctification. I've been there as well, when it was difficult to choose friends, but now after 6 or 7 years I'm meeting some old friends and they're shocked at the woman I've become! All thanks to God. So i would say continue to focus on God, pray for them like you were saying, and don't allow the enemy to pull you backwards!!!! I would like to pray for you if that's okay?!
ReplyDeleteHeavenly Father I pray that you would be with 'Regl'. Continue to reveal to him his identity in you. Give him a desire to study the Word of God and pray during all situations. Strengthen him on every side. Give him joy, peace, faith, courage, and endurance. In Jesus Name i pray Amen!
*Shepherdess
Great Post dear...Relationships are difficult at times but thank God we are led by the spirit and God is "case sensitive" in teaching us how to work out each relationship on HIS TERMS and not our own.
ReplyDelete