“Cliquing” in.
clique
n.- A small exclusive group of friends or associates.
I remember being in high school. I remember the hundreds of talks about “cliques” we’d have in youth group, and how no matter how hard our youth pastor tried there were still groups of kids who were impenetrable. They just wouldn’t include other kids. Many times, it wasn’t even an intentional act, it just was what it was.
I’m convinced that cliques aren’t formed out of malice or bitterness towards anyone in particular, rather, out of insecurity of being alone. I even see it in young adult groups; people are looking to connect, and once they do, they guard it with their life.
My youth group has cliques, and I know for a fact that people are hurt by them. I know they don’t mean to, but by their tendency to stick closely to the friends they have, they forget to welcome the people on the fringes. How can we experience true community as the body of Christ if we aren’t willing to let others in?
Some of my best friends have turned out the be some of the most unlikely people. A handful of musicians from different places, a tatted asian guy, some total meat-head jocks, and even a few couch potatoes. I LOVE these guys. Had I not been exposed and welcomed into different circles of friends, I wouldn’t have experienced what some true friendships are all about.
My hope and prayer for my kids is this: That they would experience true community in the body of Christ, and that unlikely friendships would be developed, maybe even something that looks a little like this…
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47
