A few weeks ago I attended the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers Conference. The was FHLCW’s first in-person conference. As President of FHLCW, I couldn’t wait to be there and see what blessings the Lord would give everyone.

The conference was small, just under seventy-five people. But, the sense of community was strong. Through the teachings, the meals, and throughout the weekend, it was so fun to watch these writers make connections and renew friendships.  Hearing the group sing the worship songs on Sunday morning was very special. It was like being there with family, and I can’t wait for next year’s conference.

Meeting with like-minded people got me thinking about our need to gather together and draw encouragement from one another. In Hebrews 10:24-25 we read, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another…”

These verses are usually taken to mean we should be in church regularly meeting with other Christians and being lifted up in our faith. I wonder if it can also mean getting together with family, friends, or a work group. Of course, to be lifted up in our faith, we need to regularly meet with other Christians and be careful when we meet with those who don’t share out faith.

It is so very easy to fall into a rut of work, home, family, daily chores and ignore our need for like-minded people. The deficit in emotional and spiritual nourishment may not have an impact at first, but it will build up. We must work to assemble together—to try to make time for people who will lift us up just by their presence and their godly attitude.

While it’s sometimes awkward or uncomfortable to sacrifice time and meet with others, it is worth the cost. For me, putting in the work to attend that FHLCW conference meant seeing writer friends I hadn’t seen for a long time. It meant meeting writers I’d only known online, putting faces to names, and realizing how wonderful these people are. It meant being heartened in a professional capacity when the very nature of writing is a lonely one.

So I encourage you to consider your need to assemble with those in your family, your church, your Bible study, or even from work. Be lifted up by their friendship and in turn, you can lift them up too.