According to the esteemed Myers-Briggs test, I am a natural introvert. I feel overwhelmed in large groups, process the majority of my thoughts internally and prefer to start (and end) my day with alone time. But by nature, I also crave friendship and community. I long for an opportunity to belong, for a chance to share life with others. These traits, of course, don't always work seamlessly together.

When my wife and I first moved to our current home, located in a quaint stretch of suburbs just outside Center City Philadelphia, we had an opportunity to join a church small group. With few connections in the area, we knew the experience would help us meet new friends. But we feared unfamiliarity—and decided to pass.

As we settled into our new location, we came to an important realization: in order to truly belong, we needed to experience life with others. We needed to share laughter, listen to stories and embark on adventures. And we needed the support and encouragement of a community of Christian friends—a group of people who could come beside us as we sought to grow and mature in faith.

Have you ever found yourself in this position, searching for new friends and a place to belong?Maybe you recently moved and have struggled to find a church home. Maybe you fear rejection because of a dark past and have steered away from intimacy with others. Or maybe you’re like my wife and I: new situations overwhelm you, driving you to avoid the unknown. Regardless of your circumstance, you feel lonely, disconnected and out of touch. You crave the company of others.

A desire to build meaningful friendships is innate in all of us. You see, God didn’t intend for us to live life alone; he intended for us to find places to serve and worship, places to receive guidance and accountability and places to support and feel supported. He intended for us to belong to an intimate community of Christians who live life together.

Today, as you wait to meet friends, know that God will be with you. These four Bible verses will get you started:

1. 1 John 4:4 (GNTD)
   But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world.
2. Romans 8:39 (GNTD)
   I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
3. 1 John 3:1 (GNTD)
   Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don’t know who we are.
4. 1 Samuel 12:22 (GNTD)
   The Lord has made a solemn promise, and he will not abandon you, for he has decided to make you his own people.