With Skin On

I was recently filling out a brainstorming form for our newly forming women’s ministry team. In it, members of the team were supposed to list what we felt women from different groups need or value in a ministry to women. The “groups” were loosely translated as being different levels of spiritual maturity – non-believers, new Christians, growing Christians, and so on. Anyway, as I filled out the form, actually cringing at the labels on the page, I saw a trend. In each group, whether I liked to label them or not, I saw I had written the same word -- “connection”. No matter where we are on our spiritual journey, we all need and desire healthy relationships with other people. We want to feel accepted, loved, needed, and truly seen.

I am so thankful that during times in my life when I have been alone, and friendships seemed few and far between, I have had Jesus. He is our constant companion and friend. I will never take that for granted! However, God created us to need people, too. I heard a story once about a little girl who, when expressing the desire for a friend, was reminded that Jesus was always her friend. She said she knew that but she wanted to talk to someone “with skin on”! How sweet is that?!  As simply as that child put it, she was not wrong. Sometimes we all just want to talk with someone “with skin on”!

There are so many reasons for friendships, but the most important one, I think, is that God wants us to be together. He made us that way. When He created Adam in the garden, He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) Now, granted, God was talking about marriage partners in that verse, but He also wants us to come together with our sisters for prayer, fellowship, and encouragement. 

When we meet together, over a coffee, for a walk in the park, or in a Bible study small group, we have the opportunity to live out one of the greatest of God’s commandments – to love our neighbors. Sometimes just offering a listening ear will bring a fullness into the day of a lonely person. And, in turn, please our Father by building up the Body for Christ.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 

(1 Thessalonians 5:1)

You may be wondering how to find connection with someone. Maybe you’ve never had many friends and you are the lonely person who needs encouraging. I’ve been there, believe me! It is scary to open ourselves up and be vulnerable. Throughout the years we may have been hurt or rejected by our peers. But please remember that God will bless our efforts when we step out in faith. I have learned not to wait for someone else’s invitation. If I did that, I might be waiting a very long time. Instead, I gather courage and take a chance. Sometimes, that “chance” has been by joining a small group at church. At other times it has been extending an invitation to someone else. Regardless of where or when we reach out to others, it is crucial to reach out with Christ’s love. You may find that the person you approach has been quietly just waiting to talk with someone “with skin on”!

At our next women’s ministry team meeting, I am excited about sharing the common denominator I discovered during the brainstorming exercise. I love that I can be a part of creating opportunities for women to meet each other, grow in their faith and encourage one another. When we feel encouraged in our faith, it will grow and we, in turn, will be able to lift up someone else, whom God has placed before us.

“That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:12)

I pray that each of you reading this will find the courage to reach out with friendship and be blessed by the connections God brings into your lives.

Secure in Hope,

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