In the fall of 2011, my parents dropped me off 300 miles from home. As I stepped onto campus, no one knew the “me” from the last 18 years of my life. Lonely, anxious, and confused, God used His people to help me come to know Him for the first time. A college senior from a campus ministry shared Ephesians 2:8-9 with me: “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” I began to understand the weight of my sin and accept the forgiveness of the cross offered by grace through faith alone. I knew that this was the peace that surpassed all understanding and something I could not perform to obtain.

The Lord has continued to use His people to encourage and sharpen me. In Luke 5:17-39, we read about the friends of a paralyzed man who were determined to bring him to Jesus for healing. Unable to get through the crowd, they climbed onto the roof and lowered their friend to Jesus. Jesus healed the man physically; but more importantly, He forgave his sins. In verse 20, it says: “When Jesus saw THEIR faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’”

Similarly, in Matthew 9:2, we read: “When Jesus saw THEIR faith, He said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’” It’s no typo—it really says THEIR faith! These friends didn’t let busy work schedules, personal comfort, or excuses stop them from bringing their friend to Jesus. I am blessed to have a multitude of friends who do the same for me. Weekly, the Lord uses community to remind me of the truths in James 5:16: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” And in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

My husband Mitchell and I will celebrate 9 years of marriage this coming year. I can’t help but reflect and think back to all the people the Lord has used to strengthen, encourage, and sharpen us. Our community group who continually calls us up to become wise (Proverbs 13:20). Thank you to Brena & Nick Berrios, Casey & Chris O’Neal, and Jen & Brad Kearney for taking the words of the Lord seriously as he says in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Thank you Jesus for Onward Community Church and for many of you who have extended an encouraging word at just the right moment, given me grace in moments of weakness, and have helped me become more like Jesus. Let us not stop “fighting the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).

And to Jesus our ultimate friend. I hope you are reminded daily that Jesus wants to be your friend, He wants you not to just know about Him, but to know Him deeply. On the night before His death He gathered His disciples and reminded them of this truth in John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” He substituted the wrath of God by Himself because He treasures you as a friend. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

“In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand”

Reflection Questions

1. How has God used other believers to encourage or guide you in your walk with Jesus?

2. In Luke 5:17-39, Jesus responds to the faith of the paralyzed man’s friends. How does this passage challenge you to bring others to Jesus, even when it’s difficult?

3. Are there people in your life who need encouragement or help to come closer to Jesus? What practical steps can you take today?