By Fellowship: friendly association, especially with people who share one’s interest
I hear the word fellowship thrown out a lot in church. For the longest time as a young person in the church, I wasn’t quite sure what it meant. I just knew that when someone used that word, we were probably having some kind of dinner at the church.
Later in my teenage years, I realized that fellowship means, in the most basic terms, to hang out with people.
But while thinking more deeply about it, I wondered what it meant in more complex terms, as when expressed in the Bible.
Through research, I found that the Greek word Koinonia is connected to it. Koinonia “refers to the concept of fellowship — embraces community, communion, joint participation, sharing, and intimacy”.
Before reading this, I saw fellowship as something you did at church, usually while consuming copious amounts of food. But now, I see it as something I aim to have with my Creator.
I want to be in community with the God of the universe. I want to daily commune with Him.
And most importantly, I want to be jointly sharing an intimate relationship with Him. I want a relationship where I pursue Him just as He pursues me. I want a relationship where I seek to know Him more and more every day, knowing that He already knows me fully and I am still loved by Him.
That’s what I want — koinonia, and I’m willing to work for it.
Like any other relationship, it will take work. But I will boldly chase after this, knowing that this is what God desires with me as well.
He wants a deep and intimate relationship with us. He gave everything for us, just so we can be with Him. How amazing is that!
So today, I urge you to remember the sacrifice He made and make your own sacrifice today. Lay down your own selfish desires, pick up your cross, and follow Him. Seek a deeper relationship with Him today.
Then, experience fellowship in its truest and most pure form. You won’t be disappointed.
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
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