The Deepening Experience: You Are the Beloved 预览

Redemptive Sisterhood

How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! (Psalm 133:1 MSG)

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV)

There are many reasons why Father tells Adam that it isn’t good for him to be alone. Some of those reasons are in the intimate mysteries of marriage. Others are in the sweet depths of friendship and community. One of the truths held in high regard among us at Zoweh is that the redemptive community comes from redemptive friendships, which flow from a lifestyle of intimacy where lives intersect. People share their lives – pray, play, worship, eat, share, and journey together. They are often intergenerational and cannot be contained in a day, a time, or a room.

Although friendship, community, and love are fiercely contested, there is a deep soul thirst for them written into the heart of every daughter of Eve. Remember that relational Eve is one of the clearest representations of God who exists as a relational community/family of Three – Father, Jesus, and Spirit. Women walking together in sisterhood can offer, perhaps, the highest level of mutual care and support found on the earth. To know and be known, to be seen and met and loved. That is a priceless treasure with no substitute.

Life is difficult, and often confusing. There is such comfort in having others to walk with you, lending wisdom and a hand up when you stumble. We see here, too, the value of having other Ezer Kenegdos alongside you, who will lend their swords and fierce hearts on your behalf and for the sake of the mutual mission in which you journey.

Because relationship is opposed, we must not be put off by the effort it requires, or the differences and conflict which inevitably arise from time to time. This is why love is so central to community as it has the power to cover every sin (1 Peter 1:8). As Ephesians 4:2 (NAS) says, we must walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

It is in relationship when we are most like God. Our rough edges get sanded through relationships, and it is from relationships that we understand our identity and worth.

God does us the honor and privilege of creating us a space, a place to be us. The Father gives us a seat at the table through the Son, Christ, where They know we truly belong. God has moved heaven and earth to make the invitation to a Redemptive Community – a place in His family.

We pray you to know your place in the Kingdom, the seat that is yours and yours alone. This is the banquet table of the King. The celebration begins when you know you belong. It continues as your seat is offered, and you settle in and enjoy the company of Love and all who are redeemed, restored, and re-created for the Life Everlasting.

What a hope. What an honor.

As you ponder all this with God today, ask Him:

Father, where have I held back in friendships, not allowing my true self to be known and seen?

Jesus, You yearn for flourishing in my life and relationships; what is in the way of my deep friendships?

Spirit, in my deepest heart, I yearn for deep friendship; who might I invite into exploring more together?

If you enjoyed this plan, we encourage you to check out Zoweh's video and workbook resource for women, The Deepening Journey here: The Deepening Journey | Zoweh . It is based on sessions from our women's weekend The Deepening Weekend and can be explored individually or in small or large groups.