“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another� Proverbs
27:17
I have been in a season of sharpening, one of growth and
depth, one of refinement and strengthening. I have seen proverbs 27:17 in action; I have experienced it
for myself as well as been a part of it for others. The race creates a culture of feedback, truth spoken in love
for the betterment of those around you, calling people up into greatness and
out of the things that hold them back.
In order to be sharpened we need people around us willing to speak into
our lives. People that care more
about your refinement and growth than what you will think of them if they tell
you something hard to hear. People
who are invested in seeing you lives as the best version of who God created you
to be. This is what God created
the body of Christ to look like.
This is why we are called to live in community.
For the last 3 months I have had two co-leaders who have day
in and day out been my iron. We
were paired together by AIM, but I can tell you in all honesty that I would
choose them. There is a certain
power in choice and there is no one else I would choose to lead D Squad with
other than the co-leaders I have.
They are powerful, wise, loving and gifted individuals who love Jesus
with everything they have. At the
end of the day, past all the decisions we have to make, past the hard words we
sometimes have to speak, past our differences of opinions or preferences I know
that these two amazing friends are for me. There is an incredible comfort in that. They truly want the
best for me and are willing to fight for me to constantly live at my absolute
best. I can’t tell you how
grateful I am for them and unity we have.
I couldn’t imagine this journey without them.
Hope Mendola is one of the most free people I know. By that I mean she is free from being
wrapped up in what other people think of her. She is her own spirit and is very comfortable in her own
skin. She hears form the Lord and
speaks His words with power and boldness.
She has taught me the importance and beauty of silence. Hope is selfless
and constantly makes the choice to prefer those around her. She is passionate about being a woman
and inspires other women to be comfortable in their skin while being proud of
exactly who God created them to be.
She is my ultimate restaurant partner, as we almost always split our
food! This may seem small, but
trust me, on the world race this is a big deal. I am so grateful to have this sister who seeks depth and
contemplates the intricacies of life and who God is. She is so gifted in teaching the word and brings a powerful
prophetic presence to our squad. When Hope is excited about something, the whole room lights up and her presence is contagious!
Mac Mitchell is on of the most playful men I know. He is constantly making those around
him laugh, thus bringing joy wherever He goes. He is a passionate worshiper and has a beautifully unique
connection to the Holy Spirit. He
is the definition of what a gentle, loving, but bold man is. The power and
strength behind his words is profound.
Mac is consistent servant and lays himself down for Hope and I on a
regular basis. This consistency
comes from a deep grounding in seeking the Lord and living in the Fathers
love. Mac is a man of integrity
and honor. He has shown me what it
means to press into the hard thing out of obedience and love for the Lord. He is a talented photographer and a
wonderful eye for capturing a moment. He is not afraid of showing his emotions and being vulnerable, which shows is true strength.
These 2 people have been vital in my growth and will forever
be a crucial part of my journey and development. So, to Mac and Hope, Thank you for teaching me what it means
to honor and submit. Thank you for
teaching me what it means to seek the Lord with everything. Thank you for being for me, even when I
am not being my best self because at the end of the day I know you choose me
too. Above all else, thank you for
being my iron.
