Fellowship (5/31/04)

Two years ago, I went on what I consider to be the best vacation I’ve ever been on. We went to a rustic cabin complex on a lake in New York’s Adirondacks. The place is affectionately known as Woodchuck. There was fishing, boating, swimming, a diving board, a rope swing, volleyball, hiking, horseshoes, and on and on. But more than anything else, there was fellowship. We went on vacation as a group of 4 families. There were 7 adults and 12 children. Each family had at least 1 other family they didn’t know prior to the vacation. Yet, by the end of the week, we were all as close as life long friends. I chose this topic because I'm camping with the Woodchuck gang this weekend. By the time you read this, I'm certain I will have had another wonderful weekend of fellowship with these families.

Fellowship is that thing that keeps getting threatened by how busy we are. By definition, it involves a commitment of time. It’s all about making new friendships and deepening existing ones. It’s sharing each others joys and sorrows – caring for each other and being cared for in return. In short, it’s about really getting to know each other. Every time I take the time to truly get to know someone new, I am reminded of how amazing God is. He creates us so complex and unique, yet still so very much alike.

This Wednesday, let’s pray for our own fellowship. That we would take the time to fellowship and that we would be authentic and caring in our fellowship. Let’s pray that we don’t allow competition, pride, stereotypes, gossip, and all the other fellowship stealers to get in our way. Let’s pray that we truly get to know and care about our "neighbors". Last but certainly not least, let’s do the same in our fellowship with the Lord. Share everything with Him just like you would a good friend.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob