Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Acts 14:19-20

The world has never been more connected than it is at this point in time. We have the ability to Facetime our friends on different continents, call our long-distance boyfriends whenever we please and can keep up with the day-to-day activities of our friends on social media. Yet, we live in a time where people feel less connected than ever.

We live in a society that is obsessed with the “Me” and constantly ignores the “We.” How can we love Jesus to the fullest if we are not loving His bride – the church, the people fully? Having solid friends is important. Who you surround yourself with, shapes who you are.

Jesus calls us to live in fellowship with other Christians. That way we can learn, grow and mature among people that love us.

In Acts 14 we watch as Paul is stoned, dragged out of the city, and then left for dead by a group of Jews who disagreed with his teachings of Jesus. They could have left him for dead like everyone else, but, lucky for him, the disciples stuck around. Because of their dedication to their friend, he was able to get up and continue preaching.

He continued to go back to Antioch time and time again, spreading the word of God. If Paul (PAUL!!!!) needed friends in his life, then each and every one of us does as well. We can either go through life, barely scratching the surface of what the Lord has for us, or we can surround ourselves with a community that will help us prosper.

Clayton King worded it perfectly, “You can be alive alone, but you cannot thrive alone.”

Part of the motivation behind Ezer itself was to create an online community for girls around the world to connect and plug into! But that doesn’t lessen the importance of plugging into a church, a small group, or even starting your own Bible study!

Keep pouring into your friends. Keep encouraging your friends. Keep loving your friends. The community it will foster will help you get through the bad times, and propel you forward in the good.

Think about who you surround yourself with – are they adding or taking from your walk with Jesus? Are you plugged into a body, and/or a small group that constantly challenges your faith?