Bible Reading: Luke 1:39-44, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 14:17
I hear this thing often of ‘I’m living my best life’. What does that even mean?
Having a good time, leaving the country, or finally ‘escaping’ this economy…having enough money in the bank account?
I think about when God created Adam, you would think with all that abundance and God Himself, Adam would be living his best life.
Adam had provision, check. “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, you may freely eat of every tree of the garden…” Genesis 2:16 AMPC
Adam had purpose, check. “And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 AMPC
And the biggest of all, Adam had all of God.
I mean. What more would you need?
But something about that framework still made God say, “It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.” Genesis 2:18 AMPC
I find it very fascinating.
Yet throughout Scripture, we see this pattern of God’s emphasis on relationships and the power of what He can do within people spaces—and yes, even just beyond finding the bone of your bone.
So here’s why: People are sounds.
In our reading today, Mary the mother of Jesus has just met with an angel who revealed to her she would be pregnant with the coming Saviour, Jesus. Immediately after this conversation, she goes to her cousin, Elizabeth’s house. The moment Mary greets her, the baby in Cousin Lizzie’s womb leaps. And while Mary’s greeting somehow awakened something in Elizabeth, Mary also found Elizabeth declaring over her what the Lord had just revealed to her.
Listen to what Cousin Lizzie says, “But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Emphasis added) Luke 1:43 NKJV
In just a moment of conversation, we also see how God can use people to strengthen the vision He has already placed within us. There are those exchanges we find that come to shine perspective on things we may naturally never see, those conversations that birth a sense of purpose within us and call us higher to how God sees us.
So in a sense, people can be answered prayers. Literally.
We get to see this in Acts 10. A man named Cornelius prayed to God and was told by an angel, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon…He will tell you what you must do.” (Emphasis added) Acts 10:4-6
It accentuates that even though God can personally give you a revelation, there is a revelation that can come from the right people spaces. No amount of revelation can substitute the importance of community and staying connected to others.
On the other end, we learn from Proverbs 13:20 NLT, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
We are on a constant journey of becoming, and this a ‘becoming’ can be shaped by association, be it with the wrong people, or the right people.
So think about it: When last did you review what shows up on your social media feed? Is it just every blog post, viral tweet, or ‘popular opinion’ you run your life by? Is it just every status update or story you consume? When last did you reach out to an up-line to have a hard conversation around accountability? Who are the voices you let speak into, and over your life?
People are sounds.
Proverbs says it best, “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 AMPC
So I leave you with this reminder to be intentional about your people spaces. Walk with the wise and don’t do life in isolation.
Something To Pray
Pray today for the courage to step away from the wrong people spaces and the wisdom to recognize and draw near to the right people spaces that God intends for your life.
Eme Agbor
Eme volunteers with the Bible Engagement Team at Sycamore
8 Comments
A.S
Very true. Thank you Eme.
May I have the wisdom to pursue and establish the right people and relationships in my life.
Iyanu
Thank you Eme!
Mercy Aluko
Wow! No amount of revelation can substitute the importance of community and staying connected to others.
Thank you, Eme.
I pray for courage to step away from the wrong people and wisdom to recognise and cleave to the right people.
Christianah
This was such great PUSH!!!
Titi
People are sounds, sounds that echoes in our hearts and linger for a long time. I pray to always choose the right sound.
Thank you!!
Czar
People are sounds indeed.
Thank you, Eme.
Olajumoke Wuraola Oyeyemi
Thanks for sharing.
Phil'
God bless you my daughter for the inspirational message.