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I’m embarrassed to write this article. It wasn’t that long ago that I was hired to work for a large financial institution. I remember the connectivity I had with two women during my interview. They were friendly and engaging.

When the job offer came, I was excited and a little nervous to work for such a large company. As it happened, I worked for one of the women with whom I interviewed. Now this is the embarrassing part. I remember thinking, What am I going to learn from her about leadership? After all, she doesn’t know God. She told me she was an atheist.

Days and weeks passed. To my surprise, I realized I was gleaning from her. Learning every day about the financial and banking industry, yes, but I was also learning from her leadership. My previous pious and prideful thought pattern was being demolished by the awareness that she was created in the image of God. And in His image, she possessed life, love, and leadership!

What happens when we open ourselves up to people around us – people who think differently than we do? What might we learn along the way?

Community comes through friendship with believers. It’s rich and satisfying. And, community happens when we open ourselves up to people who are different from us. People who have something to offer us, and people to whom we have something to offer.

My former boss and I are still friends, 15 years later. She knows my faith. She has my respect. And, yes, I want her to know Jesus. But that’s up to God. I cannot persuade her. I can pray, and I do.

Who is in your life today? Who have you made part of your family meals, outings, and yes, your Stonecroft Bible Study? Look around the living room. Is someone there who is vastly different from you? Thank God! That’s just the way it’s supposed to be. Let God lead your conversation, your love, and your relationship. And trust God to bring the conversations of learning (both ways) for His glory.

If you want to grow in this area, check out Stonecroft’s resource Belong.

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“Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” 

– Proverbs 9:9

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Cheryl Lee Davis
Vice President of Women’s Connection

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