find your circle

One decision that we are fortunate enough to have the ability to make everyday is who we choose to spend our time with. 

We can choose to be around people who are uplifting and encouraging or you can spend your time with those who are idle and disruptive. Did you know that God actually warns us about spending time with those who are idle and disruptive? 

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and who does not live according to the teaching you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Paul is actually writing about those who are lazy. Paul actually writes 'the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.' There's a difference between leisure and laziness. Relaxation and recreation provide necessary and much needed balance to our lives; when it is time to work, however, Christians should jump right in. We should make the most of our talent and time, doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our families. 

One of the things that I have learned is that for some people, a lack of activity will lead to sin. With not having much to do, that is when our minds tend to wander, and we begin to become deceived and fall into temptation...

I met with a couple friends who are still in college this morning and one of the questions they kept asking me was what it was like not having a community around me all of the time like I did in school. 

Without hesitation, I told them that we have the ability to choose who we spend our time with. If I want community, I can choose it. If I don't, then I don't.

That answer almost sounds too simple, but it's totally true. Your community is what you make of it. The people I work with are my community now. I say that because they're encouraging, uplifting, and make me a better person when I am around them. It's easy to know that they care about me. If I didn't like them, I could find a community elsewhere. 

I challenge you all to be smart when you choose who you are spending your time with. I can't stress how important that is. If you feel down after you spend time with a group of people or an individual, then maybe start spending a little less time with them, or even no time. Once I learned how important it is to make sure you are around the right people, I became so much happier and more particular about who I was spending time with. 

Find your circle...I promise it's there. If you can't think of anyone, then think about who makes you feel the best about yourself and who really cares...that is your circle.