You Won’t Grow If You’re Comfortable | Romans 15:14-33

I feel like God has been putting I feel like God has been putting opportunities for me to lead from the opportunities for me to lead from the opportunities for me to lead from the front, not necessarily just grabbing a front, not necessarily just grabbing a front, not necessarily just grabbing a mic, but just being more vocal, mic, but just being more vocal, mic, but just being more vocal, uh willing to say something when I don't uh willing to say something when I don't uh willing to say something when I don't have it fully fully formulated yet. Um have it fully fully formulated yet. Um have it fully fully formulated yet. Um And like >> It's happening right now. >> It's happening right now. >> Yeah, it is. Look at that. I'm saying I >> Yeah, it is. Look at that. I'm saying I >> Yeah, it is. Look at that. I'm saying I don't have it all together yet. don't have it all together yet. don't have it all together yet. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Welcome to >> Welcome to >> Welcome to This is the Crossroads Daily. No This is the Crossroads Daily. No This is the Crossroads Daily. No experts, no perfect people, just honest experts, no perfect people, just honest experts, no perfect people, just honest conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when the Bible shows up in real life. [music] >> Welcome to Crossroads Daily. My name's >> Welcome to Crossroads Daily. My name's Caleb. Caleb. Caleb. >> I'm Carolyn. >> I'm Carolyn. >> I'm Carolyn. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Victor. >> I'm Victor. >> I'm Victor. >> And we are uh about to finish up the >> And we are uh about to finish up the >> And we are uh about to finish up the book of Romans together. We're finishing book of Romans together. We're finishing book of Romans together. We're finishing the last half of Romans chapter 15. the last half of Romans chapter 15. the last half of Romans chapter 15. [music] [music] [music] >> Woohoo. >> Woohoo. >> Woohoo. >> Um Paul has some notes for us, some >> Um Paul has some notes for us, some >> Um Paul has some notes for us, some travel plans, and some things that he's travel plans, and some things that he's travel plans, and some things that he's doing. doing. doing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh [snorts] >> Uh [snorts] >> Uh [snorts] I was really interested Paul talks about I was really interested Paul talks about I was really interested Paul talks about wanting to build something that no one wanting to build something that no one wanting to build something that no one else has built. He wants to do something else has built. He wants to do something else has built. He wants to do something um that maybe no one else has done um that maybe no one else has done um that maybe no one else has done before.

before. before. Um Um Um It's challenging to be first. It's It's challenging to be first. It's It's challenging to be first. It's challenging to pioneer. challenging to pioneer. challenging to pioneer. Are there places in your life where you Are there places in your life where you Are there places in your life where you feel like God is pulling you to do that? feel like God is pulling you to do that? feel like God is pulling you to do that? Like there's a There's a role, there's Like there's a There's a role, there's Like there's a There's a role, there's an opportunity, there's something that an opportunity, there's something that an opportunity, there's something that he has perfectly designed you for. Are he has perfectly designed you for. Are he has perfectly designed you for. Are you stepping into it? you stepping into it? you stepping into it? Why or why not? Why or why not? Why or why not? So for me, I So for me, I So for me, I I'm a writer more than a speaker. So I'm a writer more than a speaker. So I'm a writer more than a speaker. So just me being able to talk to you guys just me being able to talk to you guys just me being able to talk to you guys is God doing the work in me. Um but I is God doing the work in me. Um but I is God doing the work in me. Um but I love to write. And I think God is God is love to write. And I think God is God is love to write. And I think God is God is giving me an opportunity to use that giving me an opportunity to use that giving me an opportunity to use that skill a whole lot more. skill a whole lot more. skill a whole lot more. Um Um Um through various through various through various various avenues. Um and I've avoided it various avenues. Um and I've avoided it various avenues. Um and I've avoided it for a long time, and the opportunity for a long time, and the opportunity for a long time, and the opportunity keeps finding me. And uh so now I'm keeps finding me. And uh so now I'm keeps finding me. And uh so now I'm finally like, "Okay, God, I'm going to finally like, "Okay, God, I'm going to finally like, "Okay, God, I'm going to do the thing, right?" Because this is do the thing, right?" Because this is do the thing, right?" Because this is who you've made me to be. Pride has kept who you've made me to be. Pride has kept who you've made me to be. Pride has kept me from doing it. Uh me from doing it. Uh me from doing it. Uh cuz hiding behind a keyboard isn't the cuz hiding behind a keyboard isn't the cuz hiding behind a keyboard isn't the most, you know, it's not the way you get most, you know, it's not the way you get most, you know, it's not the way you get praise from people, right? Um but God praise from people, right? Um but God praise from people, right? Um but God has wired me for words. And so, I'm has wired me for words. And so, I'm has wired me for words. And so, I'm trying to step into that more um trying to step into that more um trying to step into that more um through disciplines, through work. And through disciplines, through work. And through disciplines, through work. And uh uh uh I don't know. I don't know how it's I don't know. I don't know how it's I don't know. I don't know how it's going to work out, but we're going to going to work out, but we're going to going to work out, but we're going to see.

see. see. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's cool. >> That's cool. >> That's cool. I think sometimes God puts you in places I think sometimes God puts you in places I think sometimes God puts you in places like with the question like, "What's the like with the question like, "What's the like with the question like, "What's the new thing God's doing for you?" You can new thing God's doing for you?" You can new thing God's doing for you?" You can read Paul's words and be like, "Well, read Paul's words and be like, "Well, read Paul's words and be like, "Well, he's not sending me to a new place where he's not sending me to a new place where he's not sending me to a new place where nobody's heard the gospel before." nobody's heard the gospel before." nobody's heard the gospel before." But maybe he's sending me to do a new But maybe he's sending me to do a new But maybe he's sending me to do a new thing or show up fully as myself in a thing or show up fully as myself in a thing or show up fully as myself in a space where it does feel new. And I space where it does feel new. And I space where it does feel new. And I think um think um think um one of the superpowers that God has one of the superpowers that God has one of the superpowers that God has given me is the ability to speak with um given me is the ability to speak with um given me is the ability to speak with um very strong candor or honesty in spaces very strong candor or honesty in spaces very strong candor or honesty in spaces where um that's not always been the where um that's not always been the where um that's not always been the norm. And so, that's something that I am norm. And so, that's something that I am norm. And so, that's something that I am trying to lean into and to do with trying to lean into and to do with trying to lean into and to do with humility. Um and do from a place of humility. Um and do from a place of humility. Um and do from a place of like, "No, I want to make this thing like, "No, I want to make this thing like, "No, I want to make this thing better. I want to make the people that I better. I want to make the people that I better. I want to make the people that I lead better." And so, lately the thing lead better." And so, lately the thing lead better." And so, lately the thing that I think um that I think um that I think um the new thing God's been calling me into the new thing God's been calling me into the new thing God's been calling me into is speaking in truth to help develop and is speaking in truth to help develop and is speaking in truth to help develop and grow people. Um and that's been really, grow people. Um and that's been really, grow people. Um and that's been really, really fun because it's been able to really fun because it's been able to really fun because it's been able to unlock something in me where unlock something in me where unlock something in me where encouragement, words of affirmation encouragement, words of affirmation encouragement, words of affirmation isn't something that I would say is a isn't something that I would say is a isn't something that I would say is a natural gifting of mine. Like, I'm not natural gifting of mine. Like, I'm not natural gifting of mine. Like, I'm not walking around and being like, "Good walking around and being like, "Good walking around and being like, "Good job. Good job. Good job." But I have job. Good job. Good job." But I have job. Good job. Good job." But I have found that I can speak directly to the found that I can speak directly to the found that I can speak directly to the heart of things in new ways um and heart of things in new ways um and heart of things in new ways um and encourage and spur people on that in a encourage and spur people on that in a encourage and spur people on that in a way that feels different to me. And so, way that feels different to me. And so, way that feels different to me. And so, I don't know if that really answers your I don't know if that really answers your I don't know if that really answers your question, but it is kind of what God's

question, but it is kind of what God's question, but it is kind of what God's doing in me right now that feels new. doing in me right now that feels new. doing in me right now that feels new. >> That's great. >> That's great. >> That's great. >> Um and unique to me. >> Um and unique to me. >> Um and unique to me. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Yeah, I think mine is similar, kind of >> Yeah, I think mine is similar, kind of >> Yeah, I think mine is similar, kind of almost like an in-between almost like an in-between almost like an in-between where it's not necessarily something new where it's not necessarily something new where it's not necessarily something new new, new, new, but it is stepping into but it is stepping into but it is stepping into places where even believers, places where even believers, places where even believers, specifically Christians, I think we're specifically Christians, I think we're specifically Christians, I think we're afraid of talking about something, afraid of talking about something, afraid of talking about something, you know. It could be politics, it could you know. It could be politics, it could you know. It could be politics, it could be many other things. be many other things. be many other things. And being able to engage in a loving And being able to engage in a loving And being able to engage in a loving conversation where look, first we're conversation where look, first we're conversation where look, first we're going to respect and honor one another, going to respect and honor one another, going to respect and honor one another, and then we're going to also try to and then we're going to also try to and then we're going to also try to understand what God is trying to say. understand what God is trying to say. understand what God is trying to say. Um, I this past weekend my daughter was Um, I this past weekend my daughter was Um, I this past weekend my daughter was uh uh uh watching service and she's like, watching service and she's like, watching service and she's like, "Man, like there's so many there's so "Man, like there's so many there's so "Man, like there's so many there's so many difficult things happening in the many difficult things happening in the many difficult things happening in the world, so much brokenness. world, so much brokenness. world, so much brokenness. And I want guidance on how to think And I want guidance on how to think And I want guidance on how to think about it, what as a Christian, what to about it, what as a Christian, what to about it, what as a Christian, what to do." do." do." And one, that's personal, and I want to And one, that's personal, and I want to And one, that's personal, and I want to encourage my daughter, and we started encourage my daughter, and we started encourage my daughter, and we started those conversations, but she's not the those conversations, but she's not the those conversations, but she's not the only one, only one, only one, >> Mhm.

>> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> you know? And so, it is >> you know? And so, it is >> you know? And so, it is leveraging the experiences, the leveraging the experiences, the leveraging the experiences, the relationships, the circumstances that relationships, the circumstances that relationships, the circumstances that God has placed me, God has placed me, God has placed me, and be more intentional about talking and be more intentional about talking and be more intentional about talking about it, whether that is in written about it, whether that is in written about it, whether that is in written form, form, form, or verbally, or small groups, it doesn't or verbally, or small groups, it doesn't or verbally, or small groups, it doesn't have to be a big thing, but I think God have to be a big thing, but I think God have to be a big thing, but I think God is saying like, "Hey, I've had you is saying like, "Hey, I've had you is saying like, "Hey, I've had you enough in this space. enough in this space. enough in this space. I want you to share that and guide I want you to share that and guide I want you to share that and guide others." others." others." That's the commission that I'm feeling. That's the commission that I'm feeling. That's the commission that I'm feeling. >> Yeah, it's great. >> Yeah, it's great. >> Yeah, it's great. >> I think for me it's easy to get uh >> I think for me it's easy to get uh >> I think for me it's easy to get uh trapped in like, "Okay, well, God has trapped in like, "Okay, well, God has trapped in like, "Okay, well, God has gifted me in this way, so I should stick gifted me in this way, so I should stick gifted me in this way, so I should stick to that." Um, to that." Um, to that." Um, I think a way that he's gifted me is I think a way that he's gifted me is I think a way that he's gifted me is leading from behind the scenes. A lot of leading from behind the scenes. A lot of leading from behind the scenes. A lot of my work is in the creative field, and my work is in the creative field, and my work is in the creative field, and it's like, "I'm going to do the thing it's like, "I'm going to do the thing it's like, "I'm going to do the thing that then sets someone else up to go on that then sets someone else up to go on that then sets someone else up to go on stage or do whatever and talk." And I'm stage or do whatever and talk." And I'm stage or do whatever and talk." And I'm like, "Awesome, this is like, "Awesome, this is like, "Awesome, this is in a lot of ways it feels safe, and I in a lot of ways it feels safe, and I in a lot of ways it feels safe, and I feel like God has been putting feel like God has been putting feel like God has been putting opportunities for me to lead from the opportunities for me to lead from the opportunities for me to lead from the front, not necessarily just grabbing a front, not necessarily just grabbing a front, not necessarily just grabbing a mic, but just mic, but just mic, but just being more vocal, being more vocal, being more vocal, uh willing to say something when I don't uh willing to say something when I don't uh willing to say something when I don't have it fully fully formulated yet. Uh have it fully fully formulated yet. Uh have it fully fully formulated yet. Uh Um, Um, Um, I'm like >> It's happening right now.

>> It's happening right now. >> Yeah, it is. Look at that. I'm saying I >> Yeah, it is. Look at that. I'm saying I >> Yeah, it is. Look at that. I'm saying I don't have it all together yet. don't have it all together yet. don't have it all together yet. Filling a void where, uh, like Filling a void where, uh, like Filling a void where, uh, like leadership is lacking in some way and leadership is lacking in some way and leadership is lacking in some way and trusting that like God is going to be my trusting that like God is going to be my trusting that like God is going to be my mouthpiece. Like when he says to Moses, mouthpiece. Like when he says to Moses, mouthpiece. Like when he says to Moses, he's like, "Go do this thing. I got he's like, "Go do this thing. I got he's like, "Go do this thing. I got you." And Moses is like, "Ah, but you you." And Moses is like, "Ah, but you you." And Moses is like, "Ah, but you haven't qual- It's like, "Just go. haven't qual- It's like, "Just go. haven't qual- It's like, "Just go. You're fine." And I think that's in some You're fine." And I think that's in some You're fine." And I think that's in some ways what God is, uh, pushing me towards ways what God is, uh, pushing me towards ways what God is, uh, pushing me towards is like is like is like when it's so easy just to be like, when it's so easy just to be like, when it's so easy just to be like, "Well, this is what's safe and this is "Well, this is what's safe and this is "Well, this is what's safe and this is what I know." And he's like, "And it's what I know." And he's like, "And it's what I know." And he's like, "And it's not just about being this well-rounded not just about being this well-rounded not just about being this well-rounded person who's great at everything, but person who's great at everything, but person who's great at everything, but it's more about saying yes where God is it's more about saying yes where God is it's more about saying yes where God is prompting you." And I feel like right prompting you." And I feel like right prompting you." And I feel like right now that's where he's prompting me. So, now that's where he's prompting me. So, now that's where he's prompting me. So, I'm trying to go. And then maybe in a I'm trying to go. And then maybe in a I'm trying to go. And then maybe in a year he's like, "All right, great. year he's like, "All right, great. year he's like, "All right, great. Now back to this stuff." So. Now back to this stuff." So. Now back to this stuff." So. >> Yeah. And we can trust that God has a >> Yeah. And we can trust that God has a >> Yeah. And we can trust that God has a plan in it. Right, like plan in it. Right, like plan in it. Right, like uh, uh, uh, his love causes us to grow, puts us in his love causes us to grow, puts us in his love causes us to grow, puts us in situations that are uncomfortable for situations that are uncomfortable for situations that are uncomfortable for that reason, right? Because we can't that reason, right? Because we can't that reason, right? Because we can't just stay the way we are. just stay the way we are. just stay the way we are. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Right? >> Right? >> Right? >> There's more stuff to be mined out. >> There's more stuff to be mined out. >> There's more stuff to be mined out. There's better to be had, right? There's better to be had, right? There's better to be had, right? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> It's It's really interesting, too, like >> It's It's really interesting, too, like >> It's It's really interesting, too, like the last half of this chapter, it the last half of this chapter, it the last half of this chapter, it reminds me that like what I'm reading is reminds me that like what I'm reading is reminds me that like what I'm reading is a letter.

a letter. a letter. Right? And so, you can get like really Right? And so, you can get like really Right? And so, you can get like really dense into the theology and then Paul dense into the theology and then Paul dense into the theology and then Paul finishes with like, "I can't wait to go finishes with like, "I can't wait to go finishes with like, "I can't wait to go see my friends in Spain and Acasia or see my friends in Spain and Acasia or see my friends in Spain and Acasia or whatever, you know?" Like um, and he and whatever, you know?" Like um, and he and whatever, you know?" Like um, and he and he finishes this this chapter by saying he finishes this this chapter by saying he finishes this this chapter by saying he can't wait to see them because they he can't wait to see them because they he can't wait to see them because they give him joy and refreshment. give him joy and refreshment. give him joy and refreshment. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right? And I know, dude, I'll just >> Right? And I know, dude, I'll just >> Right? And I know, dude, I'll just self-identify it's really easy to for me self-identify it's really easy to for me self-identify it's really easy to for me to focus on the things that need to be to focus on the things that need to be to focus on the things that need to be done, right? Like here are the things done, right? Like here are the things done, right? Like here are the things that I need to do to follow Jesus. He's that I need to do to follow Jesus. He's that I need to do to follow Jesus. He's called me to do this new thing, writing, called me to do this new thing, writing, called me to do this new thing, writing, and blah blah blah blah blah. and blah blah blah blah blah. and blah blah blah blah blah. And I can miss out on the joy and And I can miss out on the joy and And I can miss out on the joy and refreshment because I'm so hyper-focused refreshment because I'm so hyper-focused refreshment because I'm so hyper-focused on the to-do list, right? on the to-do list, right? on the to-do list, right? >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> So, I want you to think through your >> So, I want you to think through your >> So, I want you to think through your life, what is God doing to give you joy life, what is God doing to give you joy life, what is God doing to give you joy and refreshment? Cuz he also wants that. and refreshment? Cuz he also wants that. and refreshment? Cuz he also wants that. He doesn't just want stuff from you, He doesn't just want stuff from you, He doesn't just want stuff from you, right? He Maybe does- He doesn't want right? He Maybe does- He doesn't want right? He Maybe does- He doesn't want stuff from you. He wants to do stuff stuff from you. He wants to do stuff stuff from you. He wants to do stuff with you, right? Which Paul says earlier with you, right? Which Paul says earlier with you, right? Which Paul says earlier in this chapter, too. in this chapter, too. in this chapter, too. Um how's God giving you joy and Um how's God giving you joy and Um how's God giving you joy and refreshment? And what's that doing for refreshment? And what's that doing for refreshment? And what's that doing for you? you? you? >> It's cool how he's talking about Spain. >> It's cool how he's talking about Spain. >> It's cool how he's talking about Spain. I mean, Spain is mentioned multiple I mean, Spain is mentioned multiple I mean, Spain is mentioned multiple times here. And next week I'm going with times here. And next week I'm going with times here. And next week I'm going with my wife to Malta and Portugal. So, I'm my wife to Malta and Portugal. So, I'm my wife to Malta and Portugal. So, I'm going to go in these areas. And I'm I'm going to go in these areas. And I'm I'm going to go in these areas. And I'm I'm excited to go do it. And I know that's excited to go do it. And I know that's excited to go do it. And I know that's going to be very refreshing, you know.

going to be very refreshing, you know. going to be very refreshing, you know. And I know Paul when he went to these And I know Paul when he went to these And I know Paul when he went to these places, like he would flog, beaten, uh places, like he would flog, beaten, uh places, like he would flog, beaten, uh in prison. So, it's not like the same in prison. So, it's not like the same in prison. So, it's not like the same experience, at least I hope. experience, at least I hope. experience, at least I hope. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> What's up? >> What's up? >> What's up? >> Yeah. But, you know, an area that's >> Yeah. But, you know, an area that's >> Yeah. But, you know, an area that's maybe more consistent because going to maybe more consistent because going to maybe more consistent because going to these places is expensive that I've been these places is expensive that I've been these places is expensive that I've been finding a lot of refreshment is I every finding a lot of refreshment is I every finding a lot of refreshment is I every other Friday I go to uh a prison here in other Friday I go to uh a prison here in other Friday I go to uh a prison here in Ohio. And I'm doing a small group with Ohio. And I'm doing a small group with Ohio. And I'm doing a small group with some guys. some guys. some guys. And quite frankly, I tell a lot of And quite frankly, I tell a lot of And quite frankly, I tell a lot of people like I feel like I found my my people like I feel like I found my my people like I feel like I found my my tribe. And it's kind of, you know, tribe. And it's kind of, you know, tribe. And it's kind of, you know, interesting [clears throat] to say cuz interesting [clears throat] to say cuz interesting [clears throat] to say cuz I've never spent a lot of time in prison I've never spent a lot of time in prison I've never spent a lot of time in prison outside of going in and out the same outside of going in and out the same outside of going in and out the same day. day. day. Um but, I love having these Um but, I love having these Um but, I love having these conversations with these guys who are conversations with these guys who are conversations with these guys who are hungry, who are funny, who are hungry, who are funny, who are hungry, who are funny, who are encouraging, who are vulnerable. encouraging, who are vulnerable. encouraging, who are vulnerable. >> Heck yeah. >> Heck yeah. >> Heck yeah. >> And I I just love that. So, that for me, >> And I I just love that. So, that for me, >> And I I just love that. So, that for me, in an unusual place, I found a lot of in an unusual place, I found a lot of in an unusual place, I found a lot of refreshment. So, I can't wait for that refreshment. So, I can't wait for that refreshment. So, I can't wait for that Friday to come, which for me will be Friday to come, which for me will be Friday to come, which for me will be this Friday. this Friday. this Friday. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Awesome. >> Yeah, awesome. What about What about you >> Yeah, awesome. What about What about you >> Yeah, awesome. What about What about you guys? Joy and refreshment? guys? Joy and refreshment? guys? Joy and refreshment? >> I mean, not to put you on the spot, but >> I mean, not to put you on the spot, but >> I mean, not to put you on the spot, but Caleb and I have been meeting together Caleb and I have been meeting together Caleb and I have been meeting together the last few years. He's been mentoring the last few years. He's been mentoring the last few years. He's been mentoring me and pouring into me. And that's like me and pouring into me. And that's like me and pouring into me. And that's like when I think of refreshing, like when I think of refreshing, like when I think of refreshing, like literally last week we were meeting literally last week we were meeting literally last week we were meeting together. And I was like, this just together. And I was like, this just together. And I was like, this just feels feels feels >> like uh >> like uh >> like uh >> like such a >> like such a >> like such a just a glass of cold water in the midst just a glass of cold water in the midst just a glass of cold water in the midst of any stress or anxiety that can go on of any stress or anxiety that can go on of any stress or anxiety that can go on in life of like I feel like the way in life of like I feel like the way in life of like I feel like the way you've poured into and invested in me you've poured into and invested in me you've poured into and invested in me and been about my growth with Jesus and and been about my growth with Jesus and and been about my growth with Jesus and investing in my interests and my family.

investing in my interests and my family. investing in my interests and my family. Like that is just it is what friendship Like that is just it is what friendship Like that is just it is what friendship and discipleship is is all about. And and discipleship is is all about. And and discipleship is is all about. And that's not common. It's easy just to that's not common. It's easy just to that's not common. It's easy just to like I have a lot of buddies where we like I have a lot of buddies where we like I have a lot of buddies where we just talk about fancy football. And just talk about fancy football. And just talk about fancy football. And those are great friendships, like and those are great friendships, like and those are great friendships, like and and in some ways they're really and in some ways they're really and in some ways they're really refreshing, but like refreshing, but like refreshing, but like it is every week I walk away from our it is every week I walk away from our it is every week I walk away from our time being like, I wish we had 3 more time being like, I wish we had 3 more time being like, I wish we had 3 more hours just to like sit together. You hours just to like sit together. You hours just to like sit together. You are just such a present person, doesn't are just such a present person, doesn't are just such a present person, doesn't complain, is so about Jesus, is so about complain, is so about Jesus, is so about complain, is so about Jesus, is so about fun, and I'm just like I walk away fun, and I'm just like I walk away fun, and I'm just like I walk away wanting to be more like you. And I'm wanting to be more like you. And I'm wanting to be more like you. And I'm like, that's just I feel like like, that's just I feel like like, that's just I feel like [clears throat] I can just go take on [clears throat] I can just go take on [clears throat] I can just go take on the rest of my week in such a better the rest of my week in such a better the rest of my week in such a better mindset because of that, so mindset because of that, so mindset because of that, so >> I know we just finished the podcast. >> I know we just finished the podcast. >> I know we just finished the podcast. >> Well done. Well >> Well done. Well >> Well done. Well >> Thanks, Chris. No, thank you. That's >> Thanks, Chris. No, thank you. That's >> Thanks, Chris. No, thank you. That's super sweet. Thank you. super sweet. Thank you. super sweet. Thank you. >> It's true. >> It's true. >> It's true. >> I I also find relationships are the most >> I I also find relationships are the most >> I I also find relationships are the most filling for me. And I think what I'm filling for me. And I think what I'm filling for me. And I think what I'm hearing as a common theme in all of hearing as a common theme in all of hearing as a common theme in all of this, too, is my relationships, my this, too, is my relationships, my this, too, is my relationships, my friendships where I laugh the hardest friendships where I laugh the hardest friendships where I laugh the hardest >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> and get the most refreshment and joy are >> and get the most refreshment and joy are >> and get the most refreshment and joy are the ones that have been tested. They've the ones that have been tested. They've the ones that have been tested. They've been through some stuff, you know? Um I been through some stuff, you know? Um I been through some stuff, you know? Um I think about my close group of think about my close group of think about my close group of girlfriends, like that friendship was girlfriends, like that friendship was girlfriends, like that friendship was forged in crisis, you know? A couple of forged in crisis, you know? A couple of forged in crisis, you know? A couple of us had marriages that were in crisis at us had marriages that were in crisis at us had marriages that were in crisis at a time, and now we're like best friends, a time, and now we're like best friends, a time, and now we're like best friends, and we laugh the hardest together. And and we laugh the hardest together. And and we laugh the hardest together. And we still cry, and we still lament, but we still cry, and we still lament, but we still cry, and we still lament, but more than anything, we just talk and more than anything, we just talk and more than anything, we just talk and laugh. And I think about some of our laugh. And I think about some of our laugh. And I think about some of our closest couple friends, it's very closest couple friends, it's very closest couple friends, it's very similar. Like those relationships where similar. Like those relationships where similar. Like those relationships where I get the most refreshment and joy are I get the most refreshment and joy are I get the most refreshment and joy are those that have been tested through those that have been tested through those that have been tested through things in life. And I think that's things in life. And I think that's things in life. And I think that's probably why Paul also is like, I can't

probably why Paul also is like, I can't probably why Paul also is like, I can't wait to come see my friends because they wait to come see my friends because they wait to come see my friends because they understand him. And so I think there's understand him. And so I think there's understand him. And so I think there's just a huge piece of this all of what just a huge piece of this all of what just a huge piece of this all of what we've been talking about here in Romans. we've been talking about here in Romans. we've been talking about here in Romans. So much of it is rooted in community. So much of it is rooted in community. So much of it is rooted in community. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> And that's how God wants us to live our >> And that's how God wants us to live our >> And that's how God wants us to live our life. He wants us to live rich lives. We life. He wants us to live rich lives. We life. He wants us to live rich lives. We weren't meant to do it alone. And that's weren't meant to do it alone. And that's weren't meant to do it alone. And that's when we see him show up is when we have when we see him show up is when we have when we see him show up is when we have people around us who are spurring us on, people around us who are spurring us on, people around us who are spurring us on, we can laugh with, we can cry with, we can laugh with, we can cry with, we can laugh with, we can cry with, lament to. So. lament to. So. lament to. So. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Carolyn found the secret answer that I >> Carolyn found the secret answer that I >> Carolyn found the secret answer that I was hopefully leading us to. I did not was hopefully leading us to. I did not was hopefully leading us to. I did not set these guys up for their answers, set these guys up for their answers, set these guys up for their answers, right? But she found it is that joy and right? But she found it is that joy and right? But she found it is that joy and joy and refreshment come through other joy and refreshment come through other joy and refreshment come through other people. God so often uses people. God so often uses people. God so often uses community to do that. You're not community to do that. You're not community to do that. You're not supposed to do life on your own. And I supposed to do life on your own. And I supposed to do life on your own. And I understand understand understand I heard that and I'm like, I'm I've I heard that and I'm like, I'm I've I heard that and I'm like, I'm I've heard that in the past and I've been heard that in the past and I've been heard that in the past and I've been frustrated by that because finding frustrated by that because finding frustrated by that because finding friends is not as easy as a Google friends is not as easy as a Google friends is not as easy as a Google search, right? It definitely takes some search, right? It definitely takes some search, right? It definitely takes some work, definitely takes some work, definitely takes some work, definitely takes some intentionality. You got to spend time, intentionality. You got to spend time, intentionality. You got to spend time, you got to go through difficulties, but you got to go through difficulties, but you got to go through difficulties, but it is worth it to get started. So, if it is worth it to get started. So, if it is worth it to get started. So, if you need some joy and refreshment, you need some joy and refreshment, you need some joy and refreshment, meaning if you're a human, meaning if you're a human, meaning if you're a human, >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> you need some community. So, what do you >> you need some community. So, what do you >> you need some community. So, what do you need to do to find that today? Maybe you need to do to find that today? Maybe you need to do to find that today? Maybe you need to text an old friend you haven't need to text an old friend you haven't need to text an old friend you haven't heard from in a while. Maybe you need to heard from in a while. Maybe you need to heard from in a while. Maybe you need to reach out to somebody some a mentor type reach out to somebody some a mentor type reach out to somebody some a mentor type of character and just set up coffee, of character and just set up coffee, of character and just set up coffee, right? Get the Get the girlfriends right? Get the Get the girlfriends right? Get the Get the girlfriends together and laugh. Watch it go to the together and laugh. Watch it go to the together and laugh. Watch it go to the movies. I don't know. You got to do movies. I don't know. You got to do movies. I don't know. You got to do something to get yourself around other something to get yourself around other something to get yourself around other people because on your own you'll be people because on your own you'll be people because on your own you'll be drained, but with other people you'll drained, but with other people you'll drained, but with other people you'll find joy and refreshment. It's a great find joy and refreshment. It's a great find joy and refreshment. It's a great gift from God. We'll see you next time.