FRIENDSHIP, FAMILIARITY AND DESTINY MATTERS
A dear sister and friend of mine asked me years ago, “Do you know this pastor?” I did not know the person. She said to me, “Pastor Temi, I think the two of you should be friends”. That was all she said. I thought it was one of those friendly conversations, and I did not take any action about it- no praying, no reaching out, no deliberate steps. I just let it slide.
About six years after this conversation, the relationship between the pastor and I took new dimensions. I began to observe and I learnt so much from him in all regards- ministry, mentoring and marriage.
Now, my only regret was that I did not take the counsel of my friend and sister seriously earlier. I just always kept imagining how it would have been if I had taken her counsel more seriously.
What happens when the turnaround you need is in the mouth of a friend? Would familiarity make you undiscerning? Would closeness affect the weight you place on their words and counsel?
Listen, beloved: Moses was a very anointed man of God. God himself mentioned that he speaks with Moses face to face.
Numbers 12:6-8 NLT
[6] And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. [7] But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. [8] I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?”
Moses should get all his answers directly from the Lord. Am I right? Moses was so high up in the realms of the Spirit that he should not need anyone to show him what to do.
But have you heard of Hobab before? Hobab was Zipporah’s brother. There was a time that Moses needed Hobab’s help:
Numbers 10:29 NLT
One day Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, “We are on our way to the place the Lord promised us, for he said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised wonderful blessings for Israel!”
What was Hobab’s response?
Numbers 10:30 NLT
But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.”
Do you know why Moses needed Hobab’s help?
Numbers 10:31 NLT
“Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places in the wilderness where we should camp. Come, be our guide.
Moses, that the Lord spoke to and he saw a way in the Red Sea, is telling Hobab, “Please, be our guide through the wilderness”. I thought it should just be about the pillars of fire and cloud.
Moses understood something that we should also acknowledge: the help that God has deposited in the relationships he has placed around you. Do not be so familiar that you are blind to it. Do not be so over-spiritual that you are undiscerning. Do not be proud that you dismiss great counsel because it came from a friend.
What godly counsels have you taken lightly? Would you re-examine them?
May you not realize too late what the Lord has deposited in your friends.
Grace.
© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa
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