Most days when I write, I have a particular message or meaning that the Lord is placing heavy on my heart to share. Today I have no real message but just a reflection on the incredible fellowship of girls that the Lord has blessed me throughout my past year and a half in Washington, D.C. I hope that it resonates with some of you, but mostly, I just want to express my gratitude to the Lord and to these sweet girls who have stood by me through thick and thin.
There is nothing more encouraging than sitting around with a wonderful group of girlfriends, snacks within arm’s reach, mug of tea in hand, Bible in lap, pen poised to jot down doses of wisdom. Last night was my weekly girls’ Bible study, an hour and a half that I absolutely treasure each week.
Aside from my roommate Libby, I see these sisters just once a week for Bible study. Outside of Wednesday nights, our lives seldom overlap. They’re scattered around Arlington and Alexandria, while Libby and I are parked in D.C. They all have busy lives and different groups of friends and coworkers whom I’ve never met. They have sisters and brothers and parents whom I’ve never even seen. They come from different cities, different states, different colleges, and different lives. And yet for those 1.5 hours on Wednesday nights, we are the closest of friends. We talk, we laugh, we cry, we struggle, we challenge, we encourage, we process.
What I love the most about our cozy group is the way God brought each individual to the group. A few of us joined the group through our church last year. Some came at the recommendation of a mentor or a friend. Others joined halfway through the year and brought with them a whirlwind of joy and wonderings. Some got married and moved away. New sisters joined as roommates changed and time marched steadily on.
Each of us brings something different to the group. Some are new believers, while others have known Him since they were small. Some are single, some engaged, some dating. Some are quietly wise, while others bring passion and emotion. But the one thing that ties us together is our hearts of love for our Lord and Creator.
Week by week, we come together. Week by week, we bring our troubles, our joys, our prayers, our praises. We come with empty souls, baring the weight of the world on our shoulders; we leave with hearts bursting with joy.
It is in reflecting on this weekly tradition that I realize fully what God meant by fellowship.
This is what Jesus meant when He said, “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
This is what 1 Thessalonians 5:11 means: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
This is what Hebrews 10: 24-25 talks about: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” This is what 1 Corinthians 14:26 meant with, “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”
Jesus is the common thread in each of these girls’ lives. He is the only reason we know each other, we love each other, we carry one another’s burdens. We were created to live in fellowship with Him, encouraging each other to keep our hearts and minds fixed on Him.
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