Friendship. It’s universally desired but can be surprisingly hard.
I’m not talking about the number of friends you have on social media.
I’m not even talking about your social group who might end up on a sports team or at a dinner party together.
I’m talking about the one or few friends with whom you share a mutual devotion like the Bible describes between David and Jonathan.
“…Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship. Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life.” —1 Samuel 18:1
Scripture describes the affection, loyalty, and sacrifice between these two men. For the sake of his friend, Jonathan plotted behind and rebuked his father, King Saul. Jonathan and David’s bond was thicker than blood.
What makes these types of friends different from others?
They know you.
Not superficially, but these friends know your dreams and your dirt and your drawbacks. And they stay and love you anyway.
They show up.
Sometimes they show up in person. Sometimes they show up with phone calls or texts. Regardless of the separation created by time, distance, and global pandemics, they’re ready to help when you need them.
They pray for you.
They intercede for you and ask God for your protection, your health, your success.
They speak truth into your life.
When I think about my closest friends, I’m completely overwhelmed by God’s kindness in planting them in my life. His mercy and grace are continually evident in the ways they love and encourage me. My faith is stronger because of their influence in my life.
Likewise, I am devoted to them. I would raise their children without hesitation. Their burdens weigh heavily on me, and their successes are genuinely celebrated.
This is not to say that a friendship will ever be perfect. We are sinful people and we are not immune from doing selfish, callous, mean, envious things. Satan also recognizes how friendship is precious and he tries to create stress, which strains our relationships.
The difference in these close relationships is that you recognize they are worth fighting to nurture and fighting to save. They are worth the hard work, worth the apologies, worth the rebuilding, worth the sacrifice.
Let me say this, too: I know some people reading this are lonely. Maybe you don’t have a true friend during this season. I’ve felt alone in a crowded room before, too. Know that we want the Love God Greatly community to be a welcoming, safe place where you can build authentic relationships. You are welcome here.
I pray we would each be and have intentional, loyal friends.
