Celestial Diary

It’s funny how relationships form and shift. The person you meet today might become the most important person in your life for years, while someone you’ve known since birth could suddenly decide to go their separate way. I’ve always believed that people enter our lives for a reason; whether as a friend, family member, acquaintance, or even a lover. Some roles are lifelong, while others are just for a season.

Understanding why someone is in your life is crucial. If you don’t, you won’t know when to hold on or when to let go. The people we surround ourselves with shape us. They influence our choices, our worldview, what we achieve, and even the quality of our lives.

Last week, I attended a teaching by a friend (whom I met through a God-orchestrated connection). He spoke about our journey as believers and encouraged us to keep pressing forward no matter what life throws our way (this is a very simplified summary, but you get the point.) I was inspired not only by the message but also by the small reception afterward as it reminded me that nothing happens by chance.

Now, I’m not the most sociable person. I rarely go out, and the moment an event ends, I vanish. Not because I dislike people, but because socializing is mentally draining and way outside my comfort zone.

Growing up as a missionary baby, constantly moving from country to country, school to school, and city to city, life was always changing. Building stable relationships wasn’t second nature to me, it was something adult me had to intentionally and consciously learn. As a child, people saw me as arrogant because I didn’t open up easily. Even now, most of my friendships exist because someone else approached me first. It’s not pride, it’s just a habit that formed over time. I never saw the point in getting too close to people when I knew I’d eventually move away or the relationship might fizzle out. So, why bother? Small talk is another weakness of mine. I like to get straight to the point and leave (which, admittedly, isn’t a great habit).

Long story short, I wanted to leave as soon as the program ended, but I had to drop someone off (another God-orchestrated connection, I suppose), which meant I stayed way longer than planned. This meant I had to push myself to talk to people I had never met before, and my anxiety was through the roof. But somewhere along the way, I got so caught up in the conversations that I was reminded of where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going.

Simple questions like “Where are you from?” “Were you born here?” and “What do you do?” triggered memories of my past, my purpose, and the promise I had made to God.

I don’t believe in coincidences. God knows the end from the beginning. He knew where I’d be today, He knew what I’d be going through. He knew I’d forget certain things or get discouraged, so He positioned me exactly where I needed to be.

That Saturday, I met people I already knew, people I had never seen before, and people I might never meet again. But my presence there was planned long before I even realized it.

Sometimes, we meet someone and immediately click, wondering why we hadn’t met sooner. Only to realize we’ve probably been in the same space countless times but never crossed paths. Other times, we meet someone but don’t recognize their value until the right moment.

The current me who now values friendships didn’t appear overnight (I’m still not there yet). The people dear to me today are people I prayed for. Some of them are answers to prayers I don’t even remember praying (Proverbs 27:17).

Looking back at high school me, desperately trying to fit into different groups, I now find myself surrounded by my own people. Those who ignite my fire, who uplift me, who like me for who I am, and who I want to keep around for years to come.

Some friendships took decades to form, while others clicked instantly. I believe God orchestrates our relationships according to His perfect timing. Maybe He didn’t introduce me to certain people earlier because I wasn’t ready to appreciate them.

Even those I crossed paths with briefly weren’t meaningless. The schools I attended, the courses I took, countries I lived in, the church I joined during my student years, and even the workplaces I passed through. The people I met with during those times all played a role in shaping the person I am today.

I truly believe that last Saturday was orchestrated by God as a divine reminder of something I had forgotten. It wasn’t a coincidence, and I had to be in the right place, with the right mindset, to receive it.

I’m not saying we should only surround ourselves with religious people and to be fair worldly friendships have a different merit. But when it comes to our spiritual destiny, we need to be mindful of our surroundings and reduce the noise (Proverbs 13:20). The way my friends inspire me now is the way I hope to inspire someone else one day. How amazing would it be to be the reason someone strives to become a better version of themselves?

To my friends: thank you for your love, support, warmth, laughter, advice, rebuke, inspiration, and teachings. Thank you for choosing me. I may not say it often, but I appreciate you all and I love you.

I encourage you to find your people. Know which relationships are meant to last and which are temporary. Not everyone is meant to be your best friend, spouse, helper, or comforter. Even some family members are meant to be loved from a distance at certain points in our lives. God uses the people around us, so we should surround ourselves with the right people.

I pray you find your person, experience true philia, and gain insight into who God is calling you to be.

Stay Blessed x