Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Before moving to Florida, I could count on one hand—maybe with two fingers—how many Christian friends I had. While I had acquaintances in church and people I spoke to on Sundays, there weren’t many women I could truly open up to and pray with or lean on during difficult times. I prayed many times over the years for God to bring Christian friends into my life—women who would understand me, walk with me, and sharpen me in my faith. Yet for so long, I thought, maybe God didn’t hear me.
Looking back now, I realize I wasn’t walking very closely with Jesus in those days. Maybe that’s why God’s answer at the time was “not yet.” I didn’t understand it then. It felt like such a good prayer—why wouldn’t God say yes? Why was He delaying something that felt so necessary?
But God, in His perfect wisdom and timing, knew exactly what He was doing.
When my husband and I moved to Florida, one of the first things I wanted to do was get plugged into a Bible study. We had started attending Bay Life regularly, and I was hoping to find a group of women to grow with spiritually. At my previous church, there wasn’t a study for women my age, and I always felt a little out of place. So, this felt like a fresh start—an opportunity to try again.
Not long after joining a Bible study, I met women whom I could truly relate to. Women who were walking through similar seasons of life, who loved Jesus, and who were welcoming. I felt seen and heard. I felt at home. Little did I know that just a few years later, God would call me into leadership within Women’s Ministry. I had never considered myself a leader—if anything, I thought of myself as a helper, a behind-the-scenes person. So, when that nudge from the Holy Spirit came, I was both surprised and scared.
But I prayed about it, and despite the fear, I said yes.
And let me tell you—God has been faithful every single step of the way. With friendships among other leaders and each new semester of leading, I’ve felt more equipped, more confident, and more aware that I am right where God wants me to be. He didn’t just call me out of my comfort zone for no reason; He prepared the way. He provided support. And He’s continually refining me in the process.
Now, I can see so clearly why He said “not yet” all those years ago. Had He given me those deep friendships back then, moving to Florida would have been even harder. I might have clung so tightly to what I had that I wouldn’t have been open to what He wanted to do next. Instead, He allowed the waiting to strengthen my faith. He allowed the waiting to deepen my desire for community. And when the time was right, He answered—not only with friends, but with a calling and a purpose I never saw coming.
Today, I’ve got friends that I truly care about. These aren’t just casual friendships; these are sisters in Christ. We pray for one another, celebrate with one another, and go through life together.
Through these relationships, I’ve grown closer to Jesus because “iron sharpens iron.” And the closer I get to Jesus, the more I become like Him.
That’s the amazing thing about being in community—it molds us, refines us, and reminds us of who we are in Christ. I’ve found that as I’ve drawn closer to Him, I’ve become more compassionate, a better listener, and, I hope, a better friend. When you are loved and supported in your community, you are better able to extend that same love and support to others.
John 15:13 tells us, Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. I used to think that verse only referred to literal sacrifice—giving one’s life physically. But as I’ve walked this path, I’ve come to see how that “laying down” can look different in different seasons of life. Sometimes, it means setting aside your plans to be present for a hurting friend. Sometimes, it’s offering your time or your ear when you’d rather retreat. It’s saying, “I’m here for you,” not just in words, but in action.
And that’s not always easy. In the busyness of life, it can feel like there’s never enough time. But when we ask God to help us see who He’s placed in front of us—and when we respond with love and faithfulness—we reflect Jesus in powerful ways.
If you haven’t found your community yet, don’t give up. Keep praying. Keep seeking Him. God hears you, just like He heard me. He’s not done with you yet. Trust His timing, even when it doesn’t make sense. Keep walking with Him, even when it is hard and feels lonely. He is faithful to provide, and when He does, you’ll look back and say, just like I have—look what God did.