Relationships are an intentional part of human well-being especially as a Christian; we can’t live this life in solitude and isolation. The Lord calls us to community and to guide and hold one another accountable as we journey through a life with the Lord.
This month, God has asked me an important question that I haven’t been able to bring myself to answer.
“Rachel, would you still trust me with your life if I removed the most important people in it?”
That question felt like a punch to the gut and I knew what I wanted my answer to be but I couldn’t be honest without questioning everything! Weren’t people important? I should love people well, that’s what we are called to, isn’t it? Community is important and I have a good one, is that bad? My downfall was that I gave so much of myself to the people in my life that I stopped making room for the Lord.
I had built a comfort wall around my people at home and since arriving in Chile, I’ve struggled most with fear and anxiety over maintaining the foundation I built. What if my friends find better friends? What if they forget about me? What if I come home from the World Race and I don’t know them anymore? I let these thoughts completely consume me and what I was doing was neglecting a relationship with my Father.
I had worked so hard to keep control over my friend’s positions in my life. I reached out, I called, I asked about their lives and I worked to make sure that they didn’t forget I was still here but no matter how much effort I put into loving them, the Lord will keep them or remove them from my life whether I want Him to or not.
So, this month, I am surrendering the one thing left that gave me comfort and security. The one thing that tethered me to home even from 5,000 miles away. As I navigate the world, I will continue to plant roots with the knowledge that they will soon be ripped from their foundation. I am going to continue to celebrate and grieve the beauty of relationship but cherish the one relationship that guides and directs my life.
