I have some wonderful pastor friends in Florida. We worked with them in ministry as their associates. We ate Sundays after church and from Angela I learned the art of southern cooking. I gained recipes for peanut butter pie and sweet potato soufflé and broccoli rice casserole which are my family favorites. But greater than the recipes is that friendship which comes from years of time together. Though we don’t talk frequently, whenever we get together, I’m reminded of a precious friendship.
That’s the kind of friends believers are (BFF’s or best friends forever). We are friends eternally because we will always be together. But do we treasure the friends in our lives right now? Do we treasure our team members and realize they are gifts from God? They may either be our disciplers or our disciples because we are in each other’s lives for a divine purpose.
We are members of the family of God through the new birth. Each belongs here. Each is important. Each supplies something vital. We are deep-spirited friends (as stated in Philippians 2:1). This sounds really sweet, but the reality is we irritate each other and get in each other’s way occasionally. We run late or forget an appointment. We don’t agree on music choices or the loudness of the music.
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in the community of the spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care, then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends” Philippians 2:1 The Message Bible
We can agree to love regardless. We can choose to love and forgive and forget and still smile. If God’s love has made any difference in our lives- we need to pay it forward to others. I don’t love because I feel it. I forgive and forget because it’s a choice.
4 Ways to improve friendships on the worship team:
- Thank God for your team members by name
- Realize the purpose for your friendships (discipling or being a disciple)
- Make a choice to agree and love each other (being kind is better than being right sometimes)
- Pray for someone who may be annoying (perhaps they are going through a tough time)
Great word.