But Are They Really Your People?

That day Herod and Pilate became friends - before this they had been enemies. Luke 23:12

Are there people in your life that you have tried desperately to create a relationship with, or keep a relationship with? Maybe because there is an expectation like “family dynamics” or maybe on the outside they seem to have it all together? Maybe you were friends in another season, or maybe you just want to feel like you belong somewhere.

I certainly have had those people in my own life. I can vividly hear myself saying…It doesn’t have to be this way. It is not good for any one involved. We could be enjoying the fruits of all these blessings together. Only to later realize that just because there is an expectation of “family” or “friend” doesn’t mean we automatically value the same thing.

Do we really want to be aligned with people who do not hold the same values we do? That maybe do not fully understand grace or forgiveness. That harbor ugliness in their heart and hang onto bitterness. That don’t have the capacity to love or value themselves so how could they possibly love or value you? That you know do not value you and would soon throw you into a viper’s nest if it came down to what was in it for them.

If love begets love, then don’t you think bitterness and hatefulness can beget bitterness and hatefulness?

That girl you so desperately pursued a friendship with may not be your girl sis. The family she brings with her may not be your people. The friend of a friend may not be a good friend for you. That friend you were close to in a different season you may not be close to in this season. That is ok.

I found it intriguing that Herod and Pilate were not friends until they had a common enemy. God.

How often do wicked men find friendship in wickeness.

If you have been trying to pursue a friendship or relationship that you are working your butt off for with no fruit in return, I hope you will let it go long before I did. Long before you allow those hopes and dreams of friendship to bring you great anxiety. I hope you realize long before I did, they may not be your people. That not all who you are aquainted with should have the blessing of intimacy in your life.

I know how hard that can be friend. Especially when you are a girl who enjoys deep friendships. We think all friendships should be that way and we at times push our own healthy boundaries to the side to pursue those friendships.

Herod could have declared Jesus innocent and released him. Instead he turned him over to Pilot, a political move? Maybe. Equally yolked over idols of the world instead of God? Definitely. Establishing a friendship born of wickedness? Most Certainly.

Are you struggling with accepting that some people are just not your people? Hang onto this truth…

2nd Corinthians 6:15-18 (The Message)

Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:

“I’ll live in them, move into them;
    I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.
So leave the corruption and compromise;
    leave it for good,” says God.
“Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.
    I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you;
    you’ll be sons and daughters to me.”
The Word of the Master, God.

Much love,

Chrissy