I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people.  Psalm 85:8

We must learn to hide ourselves away with God, not only when we’re alone but also in the company of others.  In doing so, we will be oblivious to their reactions to us.  We will only know the joy of God’s still, small voice.  No longer will we be obsessed with the acceptance of friends and family.  Instead, our spirits will soar in that otherworldly place, the realm where the things of earth are dull in comparison.  We’re invited to live in the refuge of His love and we don’t have to leave the place where His Spirit meets ours for the sake of anyone.  Not anyone.

We have to be careful not to join our souls to others who live without the discernment made available by the Spirit.  If we do so indiscriminately, we risk aligning with those who live outside of a God connection.  Few have learned to abide in Him and we can be assured that fleshly, disconnected believers will suffer a skewed perspective on many things.  Their input can be unreliable.  We will suffer if we rely, without question, on their judgment.  Becoming dependent on such people puts us in jeopardy.

Don’t forget that true spiritual unity that is of a Christ-kind can only exist when two people abide in Christ.  Think about it. Haven’t we suffered in the absence of it and soared in the company of like-minded disciples? I have. I’ve learned the hard way. So together, we raise our standards and walk wisely.  And we also know this, a real litmus test for safe connections is whether we can pray with someone and feel like we are at home with God. The presence of angst, unrest, or a sense of pretense begs us to give pause.

Hearing Your voice above discord in critical situations is possible. Train my ears. Amen