FACE TO FACE.
When I read those words, I was immediately inspired by the authentic friendship John had with these people in the early church. He knew the times were turbulent. He knew the struggles his friends (and himself) were facing were immense and their grief so deep and real that they could hardly catch their breath before the next blow. The urgency we hear in his voice comes from in importance of what he had to tell them. Their days were numbered. Their conversations were sacred. Their friendship holy.
John knew that what he had to tell them was way to important to tell them any other way than face to face. Here’s another quick poll for personal reflection: How many of our conversations are deeper than the shallowness of our flesh? How many conversations do we see as sacred? How many of our moments face to face with others are are accounted for as worth the time? How many of our conversations are making an eternal difference?
John not only wanted to visit these people face to face so he could tell them something sacred, but because he knew the unspeakable JOY that comes with authentic friendship. John knew that our joy would never, could never be complete without community. I have found this to be so true in my own life. I have found the longer I go without intentionally meeting face to face with other believers, the easier it is for me to make excuses to stay under my rock of comfort + selfishness (especially with my time). And the longer I go without community, whether that is coffee with a friend, a bible study group, or worship with my church family, the more negative I become without even knowing it.
I’ve seen that I become comfortable in my selfish worldview that I established within the walls of my home or heart, because I never invited anyone else in. When we sacrifice real community for anything other than God intended it, we are selling ourselves short on the JOY God has for us. Every time it has been hard to get out of the house, out of my comfort zone, etc. it has been 100% WORTH it in more ways than I can count. Trust me. Our joy will NEVER be complete without community.
These are the things we can no longer ignore. We are so good at being busy we are simultaneously LAZY at the same time. And then we wonder why we feel like something is missing? Like the joy in our daily life has just up and left? No, it hasn’t left. We just haven’t SHOWED UP. We are missing the ABUNDANCE of life we were made to enjoy (John 10:10) because we won’t go where the FACES are.
One more thing before we go. John says “GREET THE FRIENDS BY NAME.” Why would he say that? MAYBE BECAUSE IT’S IMPORTANT. And I am asguilty as anyone here. I am the WORST at remembering names. But there is no excuse for not treating an image bearer of God as such. If you take one thing from this (long) post let it be this challenge:
Let someone know you are there, that you see them. And by see them, I mean you see their face with your actual face. Not just a text. Tell someone youknow they are there. They are worth looking up for because Jesus said they were worth dying for.
Leave a comment if you are up for the challenge, and share your experience with us! I am praying for you guys today and look forward to hearing from you! I can’t wait to hear how God moves through those willing to let Him use them. And don’t forget. Look UP. That’s where the faces are.
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This article originally appeared at RachelSweatt.com.
