Relationships

For some people, they're easier to find than others. Some have many, some have fewer. They can be real or misleading. They can lead us to great joy and times of sorrow. We couldn't live without them. What do I speak of?

Friends.

A friend of mine preached a sermon on the topic of friends not too long ago. He went as far as to say that one of Jesus' most important actions and examples on this earth was making friends. He didn't just become a friend to a few, but to many. True, some were closer friends than others, but they were all friends.

What does this friendship idea mean? Being supportive. Smiling. Providing comfort. Hugs. Acting in truth and to be truth-telling. Love. This is only the beginning... there are so many more that could be added.

This is something that Jesus sought throughout his life. His friends stretched across a wide spectrum, being from every spectrum of society. A lot of times, though, they tended to be friends who had very few friends of their own. That didn't matter to Jesus, though... he wanted to be their friend. Who do we seek to be our friends?

It's incredibly easy to fall into a mindset where we're not seeking friends. It may be that we have found a good few close friends and don't see a need for any more. It may be that we've gotten into a relationship with a significant other and start to overlook new friends and begin spending less and less time with the friends we have. It may be that we're afraid to make new friends. It may be that the people we are called most by Christ to befriend are the ones we find the hardest to approach. I'm guilty of a number of these, and know that the list is only the first few of many reasons.

Is it supposed to be easy, though? I'm no expert on scripture, but the quote, "It's so easy to follow Me," is not something I ever read in red or black (or any color). We're called to make friends. To be friends. To be a friend. Are we?

Branch out. Spend an hour or two less with a "sig oth". Fear not. It isn't easy. But it is incredibly possible.

We're called to be a friend and to find friends in others. Let's go for it... don't wait. Start today. It might just change your life... I know it does mine. Every single day.

Seeking to be a friend and to meet new friends along the way,
chris

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