I’ve been spending a weekend with my grandparents for Christmas, and it’s been enjoyable as always! I always cherish the times I have with them. How has all of your Christmas breaks been going? Mine has been good; I’ve read so much, haha. Today Grams, Mom and I went out to eat at Godfather’s, our tradition. We do this a lot, and Mom and I do it back at home too. I’ve learned three things by always having these times to talk with them, and they’re something you can apply to your life too.

1. Jesus makes life rich.

Every time we’re together, we always talk about Jesus. By the grace of God, we’ve been saved, and we love talking about him to each other. We can bring all of our struggles to each other and be totally open with each other. We can share our victories and how God is working. It’s awesome. Jesus says he is the bread of life in John 6:35, and it’s so refreshing talking with them about him.

It’s so important to have godly people that you can be totally real with, hold accountable, and come together as sisters/brothers in Christ. You talk about the things you love most, right? I love talking about Jesus. I’m not afraid to because I know he’s what matters; he’s the only thing that matters.

for more on mentoring and connecting with people: On Being a Mentor and the Mentors in Your Life

2. We need real, authentic people.

We need people. That’s how we were created. But we don’t just need any people, we need people that will care for us no matter what, that won’t give up on us despite our flaws, yet someone who can help keep us accountable, people that are real about life and Jesus. I’m so thankful for Mom and Grandma; they are those people for me. Do you feel alone and need some mentors like that? Read this post. I’ve been alone, too, and in many ways, I still am. But Jesus will never leave you. He does provide, and He will be faithful.

Also . . . since I know what it’s like to be alone, it makes me want to make sure I reach out to other people who feel that way, who are forgotten or rejected by the world. So I want to prompt you to reach out to someone who may not have anyone godly that can help them through life. I especially encourage you to do that for someone who’s lost, because let me tell you, they need the fierce, relentless love of God most, and we’re on a mission to go get those people (Matthew 28:19). Reach out. I truly believe that’s our purpose as Christians, and that’s why I do what I do.

I had the awesome opportunity to reach out to someone lost, someone drowning in their sin and mess they’d made of their life, and all they’d received was hate for that fact, so I got to reach out and tell them about Jesus: his perfect, unconditional love, his amazing forgiveness he can give when everyone else refuses to, and the indescribable, perfect joy found in him alone (John 14:6). It was awesome! That person, well, who knows if they have anyone who will encourage them, and I felt drawn to reach them because I know what it’s like to be alone. I know what it’s like to feel unwanted and hopeless. And I want them to know about the one who never left me.

One thing we talk about is reaching the lost, how so many people are hurting and dying in their sin. It’s so important to fellowship with other Christians (Acts 2:42). But we’re also going to get all of eternity to do that, so don’t become so focused on that where you forget about reaching other sinners in desperate need of Jesus. This is that mission:

Go find people all around you that need him so that they can be part of this awesome fellowship we have with Jesus and with our fellow believers. I don’t care how sinful someone is. Romans 3:23 makes it perfectly clear how we’re all “done for it” with our sin, and Jesus died for ALL (2 Corinthians 5:15), so labeling someone as too sinful for the forgiveness of God is nothing but pure hypocrisy on our parts (Ephesians 2:9).

3. Lastly, Jesus promises to provide for our needs.

Don’t worry about anything. Jesus promised he will provide. When I’m out eating all that lovely junk food, I always take a moment to count and reflect on how Jesus has provided for my needs and beyond. He told us not to worry about ANYTHING.

Don’t worry about your life, the food, clothes, nothing. Jesus has got it all taken care of. With him, we’re safe.

So when I’m out eating with them, I remember . . .

Only Jesus can make life meaningful, and knowing him is what makes life rich. Connecting with others over him is great, and finding others for him is even greater. And as I’m leaving and done eating, my job is to trust him with everything, keep loving and knowing him more and more, and then. . . .

Go find other people who need him. Being alone at school for me has been hard. It’s been really hard. But I can truly say that Jesus never, not once, left me. And for that reason, even despite me being alone, I think I’m more joyful than all of the other students because they worry about their lives and don’t understand the amazing peace Jesus gives. And I can say it’s fueled my faith, made it stronger than I ever thought it would be, and it’s given me a deep desire to go reach the lost. Especially those that are so lost they’re forgotten and rejected by everyone else because it’s so amazing telling them about the most beautiful, eternal fellowship ever. The fellowship that hasn’t forgotten or rejected even them. The fellowship I’ve found with Jesus.

It’s priceless, and it’s urgent we tell people about it. Why? To sum it up, it’s better than any fellowship you’d ever have with someone in this life over greasy pizza.

It’s the best fellowship in the world with the one who is the bread of life (John 6:35), and it’s available to everyone. Including you. So claim it, and then don’t waste any time. Go share it.