Weekday Devotionals
Devotional by Raquel Simmons
“Better Together”
There is a song by Jack Johnson called “Better Together,” and there’s a part in the song that I’ve always loved. It goes, “Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. Like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard? It's not always easy, and sometimes life can be deceiving. I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together.”
As humans, we are not immune to the trials and tribulations that life can throw our way. No amount of money, power, or social status can prevent us from experiencing heartbreak at some point in our lives. Life can be cruel and unfair when we least expect it. Life can make us ask the question, “Why me? What did I do to deserve this?” And more often than not, we have done nothing to deserve the pain that inevitably finds us. You may think, “Wow. I came into this devotional wanting to be encouraged, and this is not making me feel very happy.” Hang with me a little longer.
Even though we all experience tragedies in our lives, there is hope. We find our hope in Jesus. He loved us so much that he not only gave us himself. He gave us each other. There is a reason God gave Adam another human being to be in the Garden of Eden with him. Adam had everything except for one thing. Another human, a friend, a helper, love. The Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18. Since the very beginning, God knew that we were better together.
I hear people talking about how “bad” things have gotten in our world and how “things just aren’t the way they used to be.” Sometimes, I even find myself having the same thoughts. But, when I really reflect on it, I see how much progress we’ve made as a species and how much good there actually is in the world. When humans come together and love meets action, miracles happen. Lives are changed. Pastor Aaron said, “you in a group can accomplish greater things than you as an individual.” This resonated with me, and I was reminded of many scenarios in my life where this statement was true. The highest moments in my life to the lowest moments in my life, I always had people with me. Either cheering me on and celebrating with me or mourning with me and helping hold me together as I was falling apart.
As in introvert, I am happy being alone. Sometimes I find myself wanting to be alone more than I probably should. I like to use my “introverted-ness” as an excuse as to why I don’t ‘want to’ or ‘have to’ join small groups. But there has never been a small group that I have been apart of that did not lead to serious life change. Every small group I have been in, has helped deepen my relationship with God, challenged me, brought spiritual growth, and healed me in ways that I didn’t even know needed healing. I have developed genuine and authentic friendships in small groups. I have learned that I can pour into others’ lives the way I have been poured in to. I can honestly and boldly say that small groups have changed my life and I would not be where I am in my faith walk without the Godly people I have met along the way.
So, maybe you’re like me and have thought, “small groups just aren’t for me. It’s uncomfortable.” Speaking from experience, I can tell you that getting out of your comfort zone is usually the best decision you will make. There are wonderful things God will do in your life when you step out of that comfort zone. I encourage you to take that step and watch what God will do.
- Raquel
“Better Together”
There is a song by Jack Johnson called “Better Together,” and there’s a part in the song that I’ve always loved. It goes, “Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. Like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard? It's not always easy, and sometimes life can be deceiving. I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together.”
As humans, we are not immune to the trials and tribulations that life can throw our way. No amount of money, power, or social status can prevent us from experiencing heartbreak at some point in our lives. Life can be cruel and unfair when we least expect it. Life can make us ask the question, “Why me? What did I do to deserve this?” And more often than not, we have done nothing to deserve the pain that inevitably finds us. You may think, “Wow. I came into this devotional wanting to be encouraged, and this is not making me feel very happy.” Hang with me a little longer.
Even though we all experience tragedies in our lives, there is hope. We find our hope in Jesus. He loved us so much that he not only gave us himself. He gave us each other. There is a reason God gave Adam another human being to be in the Garden of Eden with him. Adam had everything except for one thing. Another human, a friend, a helper, love. The Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18. Since the very beginning, God knew that we were better together.
I hear people talking about how “bad” things have gotten in our world and how “things just aren’t the way they used to be.” Sometimes, I even find myself having the same thoughts. But, when I really reflect on it, I see how much progress we’ve made as a species and how much good there actually is in the world. When humans come together and love meets action, miracles happen. Lives are changed. Pastor Aaron said, “you in a group can accomplish greater things than you as an individual.” This resonated with me, and I was reminded of many scenarios in my life where this statement was true. The highest moments in my life to the lowest moments in my life, I always had people with me. Either cheering me on and celebrating with me or mourning with me and helping hold me together as I was falling apart.
As in introvert, I am happy being alone. Sometimes I find myself wanting to be alone more than I probably should. I like to use my “introverted-ness” as an excuse as to why I don’t ‘want to’ or ‘have to’ join small groups. But there has never been a small group that I have been apart of that did not lead to serious life change. Every small group I have been in, has helped deepen my relationship with God, challenged me, brought spiritual growth, and healed me in ways that I didn’t even know needed healing. I have developed genuine and authentic friendships in small groups. I have learned that I can pour into others’ lives the way I have been poured in to. I can honestly and boldly say that small groups have changed my life and I would not be where I am in my faith walk without the Godly people I have met along the way.
So, maybe you’re like me and have thought, “small groups just aren’t for me. It’s uncomfortable.” Speaking from experience, I can tell you that getting out of your comfort zone is usually the best decision you will make. There are wonderful things God will do in your life when you step out of that comfort zone. I encourage you to take that step and watch what God will do.
- Raquel
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