losing a game, gaining perspective, and finding community in Christ
“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my request for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.” – Philippians 1:3-5
Being a disciple doesn’t just mean reading your Bible or praying when you need something. It doesn’t mean only showing up to church when you feel like it. Being a Christian is so much more than that. There are people who say, “I don’t need community,” or “It’s just me and God,” but what they don’t realize is that you need support.
If you ask any of my friends, they’ll tell you I can be stubborn and emotionally immature. And honestly, before I gave my life to Christ, if someone had said that to me, I probably would’ve cut them off. But in God’s kingdom, you need people who will call you higher—friends who care more about your soul than your feelings. And they’ve been right: I have tried to do things alone, and every single time, I’ve failed.
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12
This struggle with community isn’t new for me—it actually goes back to high school. I was known by everyone, but close to no one. I filled the silence with drugs and alcohol, convincing myself I didn’t need people. But deep down, what I wanted more than anything was true friendship—a family. What I didn’t know back then is that God had one waiting for me.
Even now, one of my biggest insecurities is friendship. Sometimes I get so worried about being left out or unwanted that I push people away. There was even a time I almost walked away from the church completely. A few college sisters were getting an apartment together, but because of my scholarship I had to stay on campus. Instead of being grateful, I let Satan creep in with lies: that they didn’t want me, that I was obnoxious, that they only had to be my friend because of God. Those thoughts made me believe I wasn’t a true sister of Christ, that I didn’t belong. I would leave church events in tears, convinced I was unwanted. My insecurity nearly made me give up on God’s family.
But thankfully, one of our mentors—let’s call her Sarah—saw through my walls. She confronted me with love, and I finally opened up. I cried, I confessed my fears, and I realized I wasn’t abandoned—I was under attack. That moment helped me see that I’m not fighting this battle alone.
The truth is, there will be lonely seasons in your walk with God. But lonely doesn’t mean alone. You might not always have a “best friend,” but you will always have brothers and sisters in Christ. And while our family isn’t perfect—far from it—it is faithful.
Tonight, the college ministry came together for kickball and volleyball. My team, The Chocolate Chip Dragons, lost… twice. (And I promise it wasn’t my fault.) There was this one brother—“injured,” so he just stood there watching the ball hit the ground. We all laughed about it, but he’s a good brother who loves God and always brings great energy to our ministry. Plus, I had made chocolate chip cookies for everyone, which is how our team got its name.
Some of my favorite moments were the spontaneous hugs I shared with one of the sisters—simple, real, and full of love. We all embarrassed ourselves in one way or another, and one particular brother couldn’t resist making fun of me for not knowing how to serve properly. But that’s the beauty of it: through the laughter, mistakes, and chaos, we were reminded that fellowship isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, serving, and loving one another.
The best thing about being part of God’s kingdom is that you never have to do life alone.
even being embarrassed.
Letters Between Sundays 