The only thing better than a good cup of coffee is a good friend who stands by you through thick or thin (non-coffee drinkers will have trouble with this comparison). My life has been immensely enriched through special friendships over the years. There are the life-long friendships formed in college that continue to be a blessing today. There have been friends who risked sharing their innermost thoughts in conversation and prayer. There are friends that I have both laughed and cried with. There have been friends I walked with in the early morning hours, and enjoyed refreshing conversation. There have been friends who loved me enough to hold me accountable, and guide me when I've been out of balance. And there are friends who are family - literally.
The writer of Proverbs knew the blessings of friendship: "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).
Perhaps the most legendary friendship of all was between David, the shepherd boy who would become king, and Jonathan, son of David's avowed enemy, King Saul. No friendship was ever less likely, yet more sincere. It is summed up well in these words:
"Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life" (1 Samuel 20:17)
Rare is the friendship that is based on a marriage-like covenant. These two men, bound by a selfless commitment to each other's welfare, remained true to that commitment in spite of tremendous pressure to pit them against each other as enemies. Jonathan dared defy his own father, King Saul, who was sinfully bent on David's destruction. Few friendships are as genuine and sacrificial as that of these two men.
Genuine friendships are a lifeline in the sea of life. Without authentic friendships we are easily prone to despair, imbalance, and superficiality. Aside of intimacy with our Father and His Son, our Lord Jesus, few things are more nourishing to our soul than good friendships.
Hearing the value of friendships resonates with those who have good friends, but many people walk the lonely road of life devoid of good friendships. It's possible to be in a satisfying marriage relationship, yet hungering for genuine friendship with someone of the same sex. Of which case, as the saying goes, "you have to be a friend to have friends". Some people seem blessed with the ability to attract people to themselves, but most of us must take the initiative to have satisfying, genuine friendships.
There is a potential genuine friendship very near to you. The risk of initiating the first step may well be rewarded with a soul-satisfying friendship that enhances your life on the road to the kingdom of God.
Steve
The writer of Proverbs knew the blessings of friendship: "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).
Perhaps the most legendary friendship of all was between David, the shepherd boy who would become king, and Jonathan, son of David's avowed enemy, King Saul. No friendship was ever less likely, yet more sincere. It is summed up well in these words:
"Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life" (1 Samuel 20:17)
Rare is the friendship that is based on a marriage-like covenant. These two men, bound by a selfless commitment to each other's welfare, remained true to that commitment in spite of tremendous pressure to pit them against each other as enemies. Jonathan dared defy his own father, King Saul, who was sinfully bent on David's destruction. Few friendships are as genuine and sacrificial as that of these two men.
Genuine friendships are a lifeline in the sea of life. Without authentic friendships we are easily prone to despair, imbalance, and superficiality. Aside of intimacy with our Father and His Son, our Lord Jesus, few things are more nourishing to our soul than good friendships.
Hearing the value of friendships resonates with those who have good friends, but many people walk the lonely road of life devoid of good friendships. It's possible to be in a satisfying marriage relationship, yet hungering for genuine friendship with someone of the same sex. Of which case, as the saying goes, "you have to be a friend to have friends". Some people seem blessed with the ability to attract people to themselves, but most of us must take the initiative to have satisfying, genuine friendships.
There is a potential genuine friendship very near to you. The risk of initiating the first step may well be rewarded with a soul-satisfying friendship that enhances your life on the road to the kingdom of God.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:38 AM
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