We are the company we keep.

We are the company we keep.

I don’t say this in a judgmental way. I actually say it as a personal reflection.

Who do you surround yourself with?

What types of activities do you and this ‘who’ engage in?

Do these people truly inspire positive growth in you, or do you notice digression instead?

There are lots of questions you could ask yourself, and some of us will not like the answers because it will open our eyes to the truth.

Some of the company we keep is actually drawing us further away from our divine purpose rather than closer to it.

Well dang…..

The person you are dating or interested in….the friends you talk to most often and spend the most time with….the shows you watch…..the places you go….the things you do……the music you listen to……the books you read (whhhaaattt? People actually read? Lol)….your spouse…..your family….the list goes on and on.

But truly take inventory at this moment. Ask yourself. “Are these people, places and things from God? Are they leading me toward who I’m meant to be, or are they a distraction and a hindrance? Are they dimming my light?

Hard pill to swallow, isn’t it?

Again, please understand this does not come from a place of judgment. I am the first to admit how short I fall every day. I fail our Father so often, but that is also why I write. I hope to take the hard lessons I’ve learned and share them with you so that you might avoid the hurt and frustration, and instead find your purpose in Him and be filled on a daily basis!

Our flesh desires approval, love, attention, satisfaction, etc. So, most often we search for this fulfillment in earthly things.

Sadly, we are too often led by ‘self’ toward the wrong people, the wrong things and the wrong places.

After being around this type of atmosphere, we gradually become more and more like it. We become what we are around.

Not that big of a deal huh?

These people, places and things are fun, right? Makes us feel so good, even if they aren’t necessarily a good thing. Feels good temporarily…but later you’ll notice a gradual spiraling downward has occurred. And then…..rock bottom.

Now, this ‘rock bottom’ is different for everyone. I won’t elaborate here because I want you to personally take time to reflect on your experiences. What is this for you? Why did this happen? Could you have chosen better? Why did you choose this at all?

Most likely the answer is yes, we could have chosen better and the motivation behind the choice was self.

Something is still missing huh?

Here is where the cliché part comes in….what if we prayed about it first?

Yep. I went there.

Did you pray and ask God to lead you to the people He wants in your life? Did you ask Him to guide your heart toward the places, things, friends, etc. that He would have you to go and meet?

Most of us do not make this our first step when pursuing relationships, jobs, activities, etc. Seems irrelevant, right? WRONG.

Look….total moment of vulnerability here…I hope for genuine companionship. Not like I pine and drool over the idea of having a partner lol. I’m not desperate. BUT, I would love to have someone to talk to, enjoy, have fun with, be vulnerable with, connect with, etc. We weren’t created to be alone; however, I also do not want something or someone if it isn’t from God.

After failed attempts, I assure you, I have zero desire to settle for less than what God desires for my life. It always ends badly...trust me!

I saw a shirt the other day that said, “If Jesus didn’t send you, I’m unavailable.” Truer words were never spoken lol.

Have I made the wrong decision before…yep! Which AGAIN, is why I’m writing. I don’t want you to make that mistake. It hurts. It sucks. It drags you down. It takes you in the opposite direction of where you are meant to be.

Our relationships, our finances, our friends, our purchases, our daily interactions, (again fill in the blank)…it should all be led by God. There is nothing silly about it.

If the company we keep is not growing us spiritually first, then physically, emotionally, mentally, etc., GET NEW COMPANY!!!

If the things we are doing are not growing us spiritually first, then physically, emotionally, mentally, etc., DO DIFFERENT THINGS!!!

If the places we are going are not growing us spiritually first, then physically, emotionally, mentally, etc., DON’T GO THERE!!!

If the relationship we are in is not growing us spiritually first, then physically, emotionally, mentally, etc., MAYBE WE BETTER RETHINK THE RELATIONSHIP!!!

Surely we all get the point.

God did not create us to live recklessly, carelessly and empty. He called us to live a joyful, fulfilled and beautiful existence. BUT…(there’s always a but…) He created us to exist in Him. The life He desires us to live can only be found in Him and the people, places and things He has for us.

In every single thing we do, every single place we go, every single person we befriend or get into a relationship with should be a divine appointment we were led to by the Father. Period.

Trust me….the alternative is never a good idea. You inevitably will compromise yourself or even lose yourself in the process. IT IS NOT WORTH IT!

Choose better. Be better. The only way we can do that is to first, seek the Lord’s guidance.

So, your homework for today is to do a personal inventory. Do a little ‘spring cleaning’ activity. If it isn’t growing you toward your divine purpose, maybe it’s time to let it go.

After all, we become what we are around…..step back and observe. Soak all of it in.

Is this really what you want to be? Is this really what fills your soul? Is this truly making you joyful, content and happy? Is this helping you to fulfill your life’s purpose? Is this helping you to become the amazing creation God put you on this earth to be?

If not….in the words of my 11 year old “sorry bro but you got to go!”

My prayer for you is that today you realize that God created you for SOOOOO much more. I pray you will awaken to the spiritual guidance He offers and that you will chase His guidance instead of the things of this earth. I pray you will be led to amazing people that pour into your existence rather than drain you dry. I pray that your life becomes abundantly blessed and thriving in every way.

My greatest prayer is that you will find all of that in Jesus.

It’s out there….waiting….you just have to choose it.

Here are a few scriptures that I’d love for you to look up that go with the blog from today.

Psalm 1:1-4

Proverbs 13:20

Proverbs 22:24-25

Proverbs 25:26

1 Corinthians 5:11

1 Corinthians 15:33

2 Corinthians 6:14

1 John 2:15-17

May your cup runneth over.