MAKE THE FIRST MOVE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17, ESV
Theme: Make the first move. Be the kind of friend who doesn’t shy away and kindly offers invitations to connect.
THE BEST CALLING
A few times throughout my life, God has nudged me to a friend. I feel “called” to a person. It feels funny saying it because I love making connections and don’t necessarily need a nudge to make a friend. I am happy to do so often. What I mean is, I feel called to make the first move to a particular person towards a lasting, meaningful friendship and set up a regular schedule of connection to nurture our relationship over time – often in life group, but not only at life group.
LAVINIA
My friend Lavinia and I met in a married life group. Time passed and we hadn’t been close because my husband and I had moved on to start two new groups while the previous life group continued. I’m not sure when we reconnected – maybe we went to coffee? I discovered she was no longer in a life group, and that she happened to have a day off from her job mid-week. She agreed to commit to attending the newly forming ladies' morning life group I planned to lead (if I would schedule it on her day off). Also, she would help oversee our group’s prayer requests. I felt God encouraging me to invest in a real and lasting friendship, but I really didn’t know how to make that happen. I committed myself to pursue regular connection, a shared life group, prayer, and consistency over time. She reciprocated and has become one of my closest friends.
BE THE KIND OF FRIEND WHO...
At one point, she wanted to start a new workout routine which I love. We started meeting weekly; I was her guest at Planet Fitness. Over time, we met twice weekly to exercise. When I had a new baby, she brought us a meal, then later hiked and walked with me while I strolled him or hefted him in a carrier. Years later, her dad got sick with COVID and subsequently passed away. My husband and I attended the out-of-town funeral. We helped plan and execute her daughter’s wedding. She has been to my kids’ dance recitals, school plays, and has stayed with my kids when I needed childcare. When our dog was elderly and frail, Lavinia brought her to the vet for me when our out-of-town travel plans meant we needed to fly out early, prior to the vet clinic’s opening. Last month, she and I traveled to South Africa together on a Cove Global trip. It was amazing to have that experience together, and I have no doubt God gave us to each other as friends.
Be the kind of friend who makes the first move. Some days, that’s me and some days that’s Lavinia. I’m so thankful to have a friend who “loves at all times.” It helps me learn to persist in being that kind of friend, also.
Make It Personal: What would it look like to nurture a God-ordained friendship? Ask God in your quiet time which acquaintances, coworkers, or family members He is calling you invest in a closer connection with. It probably won’t be ten people, just one or two at a time.
Pray: Lord, thank You for calling me Your friend. Thank You for reaching out to me and making the first move in our relationship. Help me to be that bold and approachable friend. I want to model Your love, grace, and tenderness. Spirit, direct me as You will and give me a passion for being the friend You have called me to be. Help me to be loyal in times of trouble, ready with tears, encouragement, and godly truth. Help me laugh and rejoice with my friend through all the good times we encounter together. I am ready for Your assignment. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Proverbs 27: 9-10; John 15:13-15
Weekly Memory Verse: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV