Thoughts on Friendship

I love spending time with friends, especially really good, best friends. Over time I have had to face the difficult truth that while many friendships can last a lifetime, the depth of those friendships is fairly transitory. Maintaining closeness when there is so much in this world to distract us is difficult. Family commitments take priority and occasionally need to be our primary focus. Our jobs can require a large chunk of our attention at times. We may enter a season where the Lord has reasons of His own to call us away from close friends, either for a short time or forever. The important lesson in all of this is when close friendships seem to stall, no matter what the reason, we shouldn't take it personally. If the friendship was as deep as we think, such friends would discuss anything that might leave hard feelings. Most likely, it is life circumstances that take our friends from us, not anything we've done. All relationships experience a certain ebb-and-flow according to life circumstances, but the best friendships endure over time. Knowing this, we need hold our friends closely, but with open hands.

I made a list of the qualities I enjoy in a really good friend and found I have one friend who fits the bill 100%:

- Someone who is willing to hear me out when I am struggling with something.
But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears. - 2 Samuel 22:7

- Someone who enjoys my company.
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me -Psalm 42:8a

- Someone who's company I enjoy.
and through each night I sing his songs,praying to God who gives me life. -Psalm 42:8b

- Someone who challenges me to be my best self.
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. -Ephesians 4:1

- Someone who is not afraid to have difficult conversations with me.
For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life -Psalm 6:23

- Someone who isn't easily offended when I do something stupid.
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. -Psalm 86:5

- Someone with whom I can let my guard down.
She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." -Genesis 16:13

- Someone who lets their guard down around me.
This is real love -not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. -1 John 4:10

- Someone who stands by me when others walk away.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother -Proverbs 18:24

- Someone who's affections are with me, even when we can't be together.
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:20b

My Lord is all of this and more. Earthly friendships come and go, wax and wane, but my friendship with God is eternal. Bless His Name.