I apologize for my blogging hiatus. It’s not that I haven’t had time to write, I just simply haven’t been inspired. So now, I’m sitting in the basement of my dorm, waiting on my laundry to be dry, and listening to Needtobreathe’s new album (as a point of personal privilege, if you haven’t gotten their album yet, do it! You will not regret it). I wish I had a large cup of coffee and a blanket, but since it feels like July in Alabama down here, I chose not to take that action.
This topic that I will be tackling today is something near and dear to my heart. I am not going to go through every extreme detail of my situation previous to gaining some of the best friends anyone could have, but if you go to my previous blog post entitled “My Story,” found here: http://meghanclayton.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-story.html, you can see my shortened, condensed version of the would be 20-page long story of how I was introduced to some amazing, Godly, people who changed my life forever.
I am, however, going to divulge the importance of friends found in the Bible. I’m not really going to focus on the aspect of God giving you friends, as I am sure each and every one of you has their own personal stories about this matter, and if you do not, trust me, it’s all in God’s timing (yeah I know that’s vague, but it is true. I’d love to talk to you about it over coffee if you are near to me, or maybe email or facebook if you are not).
God places certain people in our lives that compliment, encourage, and bring out the best in us. My best friend Jessica, whom I will refer to numerous times in this, is one of those people. God had PERFECT timing in bringing her into my life. It can be seen in the relationships between David and Jonathan, Naomi and Ruth, and numerous others in the Bible that God will place certain people in your life, or you in theirs, at the perfect time. So, today, I will write about what the Bible says about friendships.
“As the Father has loved Me, I also loved you. Remain in My love…This is My command: love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends, You are My friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made know to you everything I have heard from My Father.”-John 15:9, 12-15
This passage describes Jesus’ relationship with his disciples. I think we have a lot to learn from
Jesus’ relationship with these people. Now, I am not saying that we are Jesus or our friend is Jesus, but the words “Love one another as I have loved you,” really give me an idea of how we should treat one another. We are to sacrifice ourselves in any relationship. I don’t take this passage necessarily to the extent of death, but rather to a self-sacrificing love. This is Jesus’ idea of friendship. He came here to serve (Mark 10:45), and that is how he treated his disciples. He served them, He mentored them, and He loved them. We aren’t given many details of the day-to-day life of Jesus, but we can learn from this passage how He sees friendship.
The one who walks with the wise
will become wise,
but a companion of fools
will suffer harm.
-Proverbs 13: 20
This passage, though I won’t linger on it for long, is one that I enjoy about friendship. It is more about us picking our friends and being wise when we do so. You may take it at face value, I don’t feel the need to elaborate on this one.
(I feel the need right now to inform you that one of the washers is having the largest hissy fit I have ever heard and I think it may either explode or take off flying. So if I die, that would be what happened)
Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. –Luke 6:31
Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.- Romans 12:10
Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, pun on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. Above all, put on love- the perfect bond of unity.-Colossians 3:12-14
These passages are just some about how we should act towards others. The first one (Luke 6:31), in the passage, is dealing with enemies, but I believe it is just as applicable to your friends.
Proverbs tends to say lots about the importance of friendships. Here are a few of those:
Without guidance, people fall,
but with many counselors
there is deliverance.
-Proverbs 11:14
A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for
a difficult time.
-Proverbs 17:17
Listen to counsel
and receive instruction
so that you may be wise
in later life.
-Proverbs 19:20
A wise warrior is better
than a strong one,
and a man of knowledge
than one of strength;
-Proverbs 24:5
Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.
-Proverbs 27:17
I think these verses describe accurately the extreme importance of friendships. And the great thing is, God gives them to us! Giving up relationships to God, in my life, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I know, without a doubt in my mind, that every single person you come in contact with, is there for a reason. Our lives are shaped by the relationships in them. God is our greatest friend, and He will place people in your life that will pull you closer to Him.
And for Biblical reference, I encourage you to read these passages about friendship. David and Jonathan, seen specifically in 1 Samuel 18:1-4, and Ruth and Naomi, seen in Ruth 1:1-17, are two great examples.
Lastly, I will leave you with quotes by C.S. Lewis:
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”
“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.-Ephesians 6:23-24
Meghan
