WHAT I LEARNED WHEN I READ THE BIBLE
Abraham told the head of his house to go back to the country of origin whence Abraham came to find Isaac, Abraham’s son, a wife. There were women in the area where Abraham was currently living from which he could have chosen a mate for his son, but Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite. Why? Canaanites worshipped other gods, and Abraham knew his son needed to be with people, and a wife, who believed in the one true God. He needed support from like-minded people that would lift Isaac up, hold Isaac accountable, and support Isaac throughout life. Why did this matter to Abraham, and why should this matter to us today? “You Are Who You Hang With.” My husband used to state this phrase daily to the boys he coached in football. Whoever and whatever we surround ourselves with will rub off on us. If we surround ourselves with laziness, we will fall into laziness. If we surround ourselves with people that stay physically fit, we will adopt a healthier lifestyle. The influence of what, and who, we surround ourselves with is powerful. It is why God repeatedly tells us to stay connected to other believers through physical community.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV). “…that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:12 NIV).