Koinonia

I reconnected with a good friend today.  I've seen her lots over the past year, had plenty of conversations, spent lots of time together socially, had meals together as families, I see her every week at church and we talk, we are in a small group together but it takes more than all of those things to build real fellowship.  Real fellowship requires an intention, to be open and honest, to be vulnerable with one another and most importantly put Jesus at the centre of the relationship.  We have to be willing to speak God's word to one another and pray for one another.  Be willing to ask difficult questions and answer them when asked of us - honestly without holding back.  We have to stick at it when it gets difficult, seeking to serve the other person, not ourselves.  We have to let God use the relationship to shape us and sharpen us.
Maybe we already know that, I know I have done for a number of years now but it's useless to know how fellowship is built if I have no intention of building real fellowship with Christians around me.  Today I made a step in the right direction...

Jesus help me to, in humility, value others above myself not looking to my own interests but to the interests of others.  Lord help me to be willing to be part of your body.