I am slowly accepting the fact that I am an extrovert - that I draw energy from being around people. I am also beginning to see the results of exhausting myself by being around the wrong group of people. Not that these people are doing anything wrong or they themselves are 'wrong-people'. What I am recognizing is that my time, energy, and ability can be much more effective elsewhere. Imagine a football player investing their time and efforts into bowling. Bowling and bowlers aren't 'wrong', nor am I saying a football player cannot enjoy a night of bowling. I am simply saying how a football player expends his or her energy will affect themselves and their team.
It's easy to see other people making this mistake. It's more difficult to catch yourself doing it. I've been guilty plenty of times.
Lately, this passage in John 15:1-4 has been on repeat in my mind. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
I wonder if anyone has ever kept a plant in their home that never grew. Or an apple tree that never bore apples. I doubt it. And even if they did, it probably attracted unwanted guests such as mould and/or rodents. How about keeping old clothes you no longer fit (lol maybe you're hoping to slim down a few pounds) or old assignments from primary school, highschool and College/University? Personally, I struggle 'letting go' of friends.
Over a period of time, God may relocate you somewhere which may demand less time with people in the past and more time with those He has currently surrounded you with.
One thing I have been noticing is my desire to always hang out with old friends ALL the time. Actually, it's not even just a desire... It's actually what I always do -_- Since the areas of ministry, living environments, and the community around me has changed, I am seeing a need to also release some of these old relationships. Again, not because they are bad. But so that I can invest my energy and be more fruitful in these new areas of my life.
Now... I'm not saying "let go of those relationships the moment you enter new areas of your life" nor am I saying "have absolutely nothing to do with them." I am trying to emphasize that evaluating where your resources - including your time and energy - is going may be necessary when experiencing new seasons of your life. Pruning certain relationships may be beneficial for the sake of yourself, for the counter party, and your respective communities. Ending relationships is hard. If you can't end them, then perhaps you need to establish boundaries.
Refiners fire makes pure gold. To make pure gold sometimes means to burn away the silver. My time and energy is limited. How am I being a steward of the time I have with the community I am blessed with now?
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