“So, Mr. Ron, it occurred to me: If you is fishin for a friend you just gon’ catch and release, then I ain’t got no desire to be your friend. … But if you is lookin for a real friend, then I’ll be one. Forever.”
R. Hall & D. Moore, Same KInd of Different as Me
A friend took me out to lunch for my birthday. It was relaxing, joyful … such a treat!
Friends accept us not as we appear but as we can truly be. They hold us up to our better selves in a way that we feel not pulled but as though we are being drawn out gracefully from within.
Arthur Dobrin
As an introvert, I relate best to people one on one. I don’t feel like I make friends easily. I’m quiet, have trouble making small talk, and prefer my privacy. But I have also learned that true friendships enrich our lives in ways we can’t imagine.
Salvation is communal
The other night in our community group, we discussed briefly how salvation is communal. We need one another to work out our salvation and grow in Christ. The writer of Proverbs teaches, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another!” As we live in community, share life, and hold each other accountable, we better understand ourselves and our relationship with God. The more we share Christ with one another, the better we know Him.
God’s friends
God gives examples of HIs friendships in scripture —
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.
James 2:23
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.
Exodus 33:11
At first glance, it is easy to have a pang of jealousy when reading the scripture. How awesome to read that Abraham & Moses were friends of God. What eulogies!
But there is no need for jealousy. Jesus calls us His friends and pours His Spirit into our lives so that God is always with us. He never leaves us … we can count on Him!
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:13-15
Jesus is our Friend
I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!
J. G. Small
So kind and true and tender,
So wise a Counselor and Guide,
so mighty a Defender!
From Him who loves me now so well
what power my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, shall earth or hell?
No! I am His forever.
I’m grateful for friends who challenge, support, know, and still love me! And what joy it is to recall daily that Jesus calls me His friend! He knows me completely and thoroughly, yet He still loves me and desires to walk and talk with me.
Write, phone, or text a friend … let them know how dear they are to you! And then spend time in prayer with your Heavenly Friend. He, too, wants to hear from You!
Prayer
Father, You who hung the moon and stars in place
Who spoke life into all the creatures of the seas
And who carved out mountains and valleys –
You are the same God who calls me Your friend-
I am humbled in Your presence,
That in giving me life, You also extend to me
Your hand in fellowship and friendship.
May I never take that friendship for granted,
But instead, worship and praise Your name forever!
Amen.
