Polar Bears.
Koalas.
Bactrian Camels.
Beavers.
King Snakes.
Cheetahs.
Monkeys.
Elephants.
Vultures.
You.
Me.

What do all of these have in common?
They adapt to their surroundings & fellow species they interact with.

From eating habits to migration patterns- these animals will shift to the ones around them. Over time, they begin to move, live, breathe, and act very similar. You see this in couples that have been together for years. They can finish each others sentences, know what the other is thinking sometimes before they even say it, physically getting in the same sleep patterns, sense of humor gets similar. I love it.

In a workshop with TWLOHA founder Jamie Tworkowski, he put it this way, 

Check what influences you. If someone is negative most of the time, it might not be a desirable influence to entertain. Are they positive and encouraging? Keep them around. You will become who you surround yourself with. Make sure you choose your relationships & influences wisely.

In high school I spent time with some guys that made bad decisions. It wasn’t too long before I started following their lead. In college I spent time with some guys who really loved Jesus and did so in a unique way. What started to happen was my heart changed. The company I kept rubbed off on me and my life was changing as a result. In skateboarding, my level of excellence & pushing it with tricks was a direct result of spending time with people who were better than me. I learned from them. Studied them. Watched their technique. The same is true of my daily personal/spiritual growth in who God wants you and I to be.

It’s why community is so important.
Friendships that speak into your life.
Living life with other people.
Looking at your influences.
Are they building you up or tearing you down?

It’s why I follow Jesus.
He is revolutionary and brings love, truth, & grace into my life.
Now, I fumble the ball a lot as I follow Him.
If following Jesus were a sport, I’d be third string at best.
(And that’s probably giving myself too much credit)
But the amazing part is, He doesn’t kick me off the team.
Actually, He lets me play most of the games.
Plenty of playing time.
Even with the fumbles.

If Jesus wasn’t the biggest influence in my life, I’d be wandering aimlessly.
If I didn’t have friends & people who love/encourage me, I’d be so down.
If I spent time with mainly negative people, I would eventually be negative too.

As we head into Easter weekend, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we go through life. Are we following a trajectory that has us feeling down, out and without hope? Or, could there be something more in store for us? A life of being influenced & changed by an amazing God and being built up by people who love Him.

If you’d love to learn more about a life of being poured into by God, I’d love for you to come and experience Him this Easter @ Forefront, March 31st, 10am at Ocean Lakes High School. We’re not perfect. We’re gonna make mistakes. But we believe that Everybody’s Welcome, no matter what you’ve done or been through. And, Nobody’s Perfect. But, God loves us too much to let us stay where we’re at. That’s why it’s so encouraging that Anything’s Possible. God can take any of us and move us to a place of redemption & fullness of life.