Verse: 1 John 1:3-4
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

Devotion:
In the book of 1 John, John emphasizes the importance of fellowship with God and with one another. In these verses, John expresses his desire for the readers to experience true fellowship. He wants us to understand that the true life God designed for us is to live life in step with Him, but also to do life together.

Fellowship is so different than how the world portrays friendship. Fellowship is more than just socializing or spending time together; it is a deep, spiritual connection rooted in a shared faith in Jesus Christ. As believers, we are called to have a personal relationship with God, but we are also called to be in community with other believers. This fellowship is essential for our spiritual growth, encouragement, and accountability. It’s the people who challenge you, rally around you, and love on you when you need it.  God did not design us to do this world alone. He designed us to long for relationships with His people, to walk through life arm in arm together.

At the end of the verse, John says that when we come to know the Lord and live life together, it will make our “joy complete”. He knows that true joy is found in fellowship with God and one another. When we experience genuine fellowship, our hearts are filled with joy, and our faith is strengthened. We are reminded that we are not alone in our journey of faith but are part of a larger family of believers.

In today’s world, it is too easy to become isolated and disconnected from others. It’s easy to feel alone and overwhelmed with the darkness that surrounds us daily. We can get caught up in our busy lives and neglect the importance of fellowship, both with God and with one another. God designed us to be in relationship with Him and with others. When we prioritize fellowship, we open ourselves up to receiving and giving love, support, and encouragement. We come into alignment with life the way God designed it for us to live.

Friend, if you’re anything like me, this is the hard part. Logically, I know this, I’ve heard it before. I whole heartedly believe this to be true. But… do I live like I know how to make my joy complete? Do I always prioritize seeking fellowship with God and other believers? I wish I could say yes. But, it can become so easy to be distracted by the world. It is one of the greatest tools of the enemy to isolate us and make us feel alone.

Hear me loud and clear- we are NOT alone. Gods promises tell us over and over again that He is with us.

Building meaningful connections with other believers means investing time, emotion, energy, and effort. But, it will be worth it—every ounce of it. Are you plugged into a church community? If not, I encourage you to join a small group. Find your people, that will celebrate with you in the good times and shoulder burdens and cry with you in the bad times.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your truth. Help us to meditate on these verses to be reminded of the invitation to fellowship with You and with one another. Inspire us to pursue deeper connections, to share our faith experiences, and to walk alongside others in their spiritual journeys. Help us to prioritize our relationship with You daily. May our fellowship bring joy to our lives and to those around us. Amen