It’s a question I have considered quite often, and one I think
that God has been asking me. "Am I a friend worth having?" Because He has
made us such relational beings, people are important to us—or should be. Nowadays, as we as a culture grow more self centered, me-minded and focused on technology, I think it has become easy to
blur the definition of friendship. To many, true friendship is nonexistent.
Perhaps a thought, certainly not an action.
Here is what most consider the definition of friendship, as
found in the Bible…
John 15:13 (KJV)
Before, I’ve thought that it probably
referred to the degree of loyalty in one who would sacrifice his life (die) for his
friend. That was the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for us, whom He has called His
friends.
Yet I believe that it’s not just death this verse
is talking about. It’s life. If I’m
truly a friend, that means I will lay down the very substance of my life; my
time, resources, dreams, opinions, preferences, and desires; if that sacrifice
will help another. It means I will want what is best for them. We will share our lives, because I value their participation
in it, and because I want to go through life hand-in-hand with them. It means I
will be God’s tool of edification, encouragement, and support no matter where
it takes me. A true friend will lay down his or her life and all that it
contains for another person’s good. True friends will not abandon the
relationship when it gets difficult…the trials will draw them closer.
Friendship is a sacred gift that should not be abused or
taken lightly. I pray that God will teach me to be a friend worth having.
