I read a tweet from a musician about a month ago that has stuck with me:
“Everyone needs to have a safe place, where you can expose the things you spend your life hiding. If you don’t have a safe place, find one.”
I’ve been thinking a lot about our need as humans for accountability and transparency. I believe that every person craves community. But the hard part about connections with others is that it takes sacrifice. There is a time commitment – and it takes some sort of change – some sort of initiative on our part.
I’ve found that there is always an excuse for not having time for meaningful relationships. My pastor, in reference to serving God, put it in perspective by saying (paraphrase):
- When we are in college, we are so busy…because we are focusing on our studies & resume.
- When we graduate, we are so busy…because we are starting our career. Plus, we don’t have much money.
- When we start our career, many of us get married, and want to focus on our spouse. After all…we are called to be good husbands.
- Then, we have kids. Now, our call is to be a good parent…so serving becomes even more difficult.
- Then, our kids grow up, and they have grandkids…and we want to spend time with them.
- Then, our grandkids grow up…and the feeling is that we are too old to really make a difference in the Kingdom.
I remember feeling convicted as he spoke those words. I never want to fall into the rut of being too busy that I can’t serve God and others.
And the same can be said of being accountable to some trustworthy friends.
So what does it look like?
For me, these meet ups do not need to happen every week, but they DO have to be intentional. And the gathering does not need to be entirely serious or struggle talk – it should be mixed with fun, laughs, prayer – combined with these sacred, spiritual moments.
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