Everyone needs someone.
Tonight, we worked on the discipleship of a specific type of person: our group was assigned a 14-year old guy, coming from a single-parent home, shy, not very popular, an average student, kind of considered a 'geek' to many. The significance of this type of student to be responsible to disciple was that he is quite different from the members of our group - this is so important. We cannot simply be effective at reaching people like ourselves - there are far too many other lost people in our world.
I think, the actual discipleship process we determined aside, that was the most significant thing for me. I'm very used to paying less attention to those who lack confidence. In fact, if I'm being honest, growing up, I didn't like to show my sisters attention because they felt too 'needy' to me. If I'm being real honest, I think I need to learn to be more 'needy.'
Needing companionship is an absolutely normal human trait. I can pretend I don't need friends, but that doesn't make my need go away. In fact, we all feel this way. If we have been hurt in the past, we don't want to be willing to admit we need community. But we do.
It's important as pastors that we keep this in mind because our job is, often, to be the friend to the friendless and ultimately show people Jesus in that way. For our 14-year old 'assignment,' that is exactly what it means: being a friend. Our potential is released in the company of kinship.
God, help me to never forget my need for relationships.
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