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Writer's pictureChristy Schuette

The Company You Keep

May 15

I Samuel 4-5

Psalm 60:1-5

Proverbs 13:19-21

John 5

The Company You Keep


“The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 HCSB


This verse is very clear. It matters who we hang out with. The people you choose to spend the most time with will affect your character. I Corinthians 15:33 tells us, “Do not be deceived, ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (HCSB) The idea that we will be a good influence on them, and they won’t rub off on us is wishful thinking at best and dangerous at worst. As Christians it is essential that we surround ourselves with people who will encourage us and help us on our spiritual journey. We are not meant to walk through this life alone. 2020 was a very hard year for many reasons, but one of the most difficult aspects of it was that our community was taken away. Not being able to fellowship with other believers, have Bible studies, small groups, Sunday School classes and meet for worship has had a profound impact on our society and I fear the consequences will be realized for a long time to come.


For the last fifteen or so years I have been a part of an accountability prayer group. These women are my people. I can’t imagine navigating life without them. Before 2020 we met weekly. We continued to meet in 2020, but it was more challenging. Sometimes we did zoom meetings. Sometimes we met in the cul de sac of one of our members with our cars backed in a circle sitting in our hatchbacks more than six feet apart. We even met outside at our local hospital several times on the lunch hour of a nurse in our group. We didn’t meet as often as usual, but we did whatever was necessary to get together because we know we need each other. During our time together we discuss our lives, our children, our families, our fears, our struggles, and our hopes. We laugh together and we cry together. We have been through the illness and death of parents, parenting teenagers, empty-nesting, weddings of our children, births of grandchildren, financial struggles, and illnesses. We don’t always have the answers and we don’t know how to fix all the problems we face, but we know the One who does. No matter what is going on in my life, they point me to Jesus, they pray for me, they walk beside me, and they hold me accountable. I know if I mess up, they won’t let me get by with it. They won’t tell me what I want to hear, they tell me what I need to hear. Because I know that they love me, I can hear their gentle and loving rebukes in a way that makes me want to repent and turn to God. If you don’t have people in your life like this, get some. Do whatever you have to do to develop relationships where you can be real with people who will build you up and point you to Jesus on a regular basis. It is that important. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

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