You Are the Company You Keep
Some people absolutely thrive when they are alone, while others dread the idea of isolation. Even the most extroverted extrovert needs some time alone, but there is such a thing as being alone too much. God declares pretty early on in man’s existence that we should not be alone (Genesis 2:18), and so He creates a companion for him. For as long as man as walked this earth, he’s been in need of community and now, more than ever, we need to be consistently engaging with godly community for revival.
These past two years have drastically altered everyone’s relationship with their community. We’ve had to be more creative than ever to make gatherings happen while Satan used every tool in his repertoire to drive wedges into our church communities. From no gathering at all…to limits on the number of people who can gather…then you have to physically distance yourself while gathering…and you have to wear something that interferes with our ability to interact and communicate. This isn’t meant to start a debate, only point out the many hurdles we have to overcome to follow God’s calling to gather.
Scripture touches on the importance of gathering many, many times (Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 14:26, etc.). Scripture also tells us what happens when we gather (Matthew 18:20, Ephesians 5:19, etc.). But, another key element is who we should be gathering with. This world is full of people who can lead us astray, but God gives us very explicit instructions about the type of company we should be keeping for proper revival. And, without this godly company, we cannot reap the benefits He intends for us.
One such relationship that is vital to the church community is that between a mentor and a mentee. Paul’s letter to Titus is filled with important instructions regarding the character and actions of God’s people. Titus was in Crete at the time, working to lay a strong foundation of leaders and believers so that the church in Crete could thrive. In Chapter 2, Paul touches on the behavior of men and women of the church, specifically how older members should serve as an example for younger members. For women, he instructs, “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (verses3-5, ESV). This mentor-mentee relationship between church members plays a critical part in strengthening our community and creating that true, godly revival we need. If you are a younger women in the church, seek out an older mentor who has experience in your season of life. Likewise, if you are an older woman in the church, reach out to younger women who would benefit from your life experiences. This relationship can reap benefits for both women involved and we all need these types of connections in our lives. It is how God designed us.
My intention here is not to direct you away from unbelievers; the importance of your presence in their lives is a whole separate theological matter. I am asking you to reflect on the company you are keeping and be more intentional about the time you spend with other godly women. If you find yourself struggling and in need of revival, consider the role that community can play in this. Your sisters in Christ can be a valuable resource in all aspects of your life and being more intentional about communing with them can look like so many different things. Something as simple as a phone call or a playdate that gives you the time to connect can truly revive your spirit in so many ways. If you find yourself struggling to make these connections, Sally’s Clarkson’s book Girls Club is a wonderful guide. Other godly women can help you navigate life’s challenges in a godly way. They will help your turn your focus back on Him and rely on Him to sustain you through any season of change you might be experiencing. Simply put, you are the community you keep.
Catherine (Cat) Garner was born in Long Beach, California and moved to Nevada when she was 10. She grew up in the Las Vegas community, then earned her BA in English and Political Science from the University of Nevada, Reno and her teaching credential from UNLV. She is a National Board CertifiedTeacher who has taught, coached, mentored, #allthethings in public schools for over a decade. She also walks in a variety of school-related roles outside the classroom such as writing curriculum and teaching professional development classes. Her husband, Ryan, is a CPA and they have one son, Jack, and a fur-daughter, Emma. She loves worship music, shoes, a good book, Precepts Bible studies, soccer, making silly TikToks, Sally Clarkson, house plants, and yoga.