“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 NIV)

This is one of my favorite Bible verses, which reminds me of those rare, beautiful friends who’ve supported me through life’s struggles and victories.

In seventh grade, I was a member of our school's track and field team. One of my best friends, Nicole, was also on the team. My specialties were long jump, shot put, and sprinting. I didn’t do well with long distance or hurdles. Nicole was much taller and great at hurdling.

One of our team members was hurt and was supposed to run in the relay. Our coach received approval to substitute someone in their place. The coach called me over and said, “You’re in the relay.” I knew I wasn’t very coordinated when it came to running and passing the baton at the same time. Something I’ve tried and just felt clumsy with. I didn’t want to let the team down. What I did have to offer was speed. My friend Nicole came over and put her arm around me and said, “You’ve got this, I trust in you. You can do it!” I felt sick to my stomach and tried to make an excuse, but she wouldn’t have it. She recruited two more friends, Christine and Christy. The three of them were showering me with words of encouragement and persuading me to accept the coach's orders to get ready for the relay.

I don’t remember what place we came in, but what stuck with me all these years is the support I received from my friends and that feeling of belonging and connection.

They had a genuine desire for me to face my fears and cheered me on until the finish of the race. It was a great feeling to run up and receive hugs from those who had given me the support I needed. I also learned a valuable lesson in working well with the relay team and how crucial it was for us to perform well as a team. When the baton was passed to me, that person gave me a word of encouragement, and I did the same. We received positive support from our partners on the relay team, who truly wanted the best for each other. We were reaching our goal together.

On that day, I also learned that everything I did with track was for the team, the school, the coach, and for my own inner moral compass. Because everything I had participated in before this day was focused on my individual goals, like beating my own records, running the relay opened my eyes to the value of working well with others.

In the story of Ruth and Naomi found in the book of Ruth, I find Ruth’s response to Naomi in Ruth 1:16 particularly meaningful. Ruth reassures Naomi that they are on this journey together. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi proves her commitment to their relationship. They work together through their struggles in finding food and rejoice through their blessings in meeting Boaz. They wish each other abundant blessings and achieve so much due to their unwavering loyalty and love for one another.

There are four areas where friendships with other Christian women can be valuable.

RELATIONAL SUPPORT

Importance of Working Together Well

1. Building CONNECTION through togetherness

Moving from alone to spiritual relationships.

“So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 MSG).

2. In times of STRUGGLE

Turn to someone safe and spiritually healthy to share with.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25 NIV).

“…that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:12 NIV).

3. PRAYER Partners

Growing in common faith together.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20 ESV).

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV).

4. Spiritual DIRECTION

Accountability in partnership through Scripture. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Spiritual Director, and Sister Shepherds are there to enhance your spiritual walk. They do not have to have the answers. They guide you through Scripture and encourage prayer to find those answers.

“For those who the Spirit of God leads are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14 NIV).

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15 NIV).