Boom!

by Chelsea Seaton, Devotions Inspired by Beyond Blessed

One day I was talking with some friends when one of them said something I agreed with and instead of my response being “I agree,” or simply nodding my head, I said in a firm voice, “Boom!” The look on their faces was probably the look you have right now. Did she just say “boom”? I had no idea where it came from. It was not a response I’d usually say in agreement, so I brushed it off and moved on. Until later that same day, I did it again! And then again, and again, until it was just something I say.

A few weeks later I was talking to a guy I regularly work with, and when I said something he agreed with, he yelled out, “Boom!” Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in my mind. He’s the reason I keep saying boom to everything. He had rubbed off on me and I didn’t even realize it!

That story is silly, but it’s an example of a real biblical principle. Who you surround yourself with will influence who you are more than you can imagine. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Here’s my question for you today. What are you being sharpened toward? Are you being sharpened toward the things of God, or are you being sharpened toward the world?

Have you heard the saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”? Your friends are influencing who you are today and who you will be tomorrow. You are being sharpened, and you are sharpening others. This is why it’s vital that your closest friendships are with other believers. When one of us is going through a hard time, we can pray for and come alongside each other in the fight. When someone is going through a great time, we can celebrate with each other instead of being competitive or jealous like the world is.

I want to encourage you to ask the Lord, “How am I stewarding my friends, and how am I being sharpened?” If you need Christian friends, ask Him to guide you and connect you with people. Maybe He’s asking you to lead and be the one who is sharpening others toward the things of God. Allow Him to speak and you will be sharpened in your faith and experience all God has for you.

Boom!