Ten years ago this summer God introduced me to three friends. One I married; the other two are marrying each other in a month, but what is most significant is that, even after several years, sometimes a thousand miles away from each other, and often at different times in our life stories, these friendships are still going strong. The four of us have quire different personalities, hobbies, and interests; however, a shared faith in God and a desire to serve him and the people around us have held us in an ever-changing, ever-growing relationship. During the first year we knew each other Ecclesiastes 4:12 became a significant explanation of the special bond we all felt:

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 4:12

The understanding that God was the vital third strand of any sincere relationship has taught me much about developing and maintaining friendships throughout my life. In these particular relationships, he was an obvious catalyst for our connection and continued to gently remind us of his presence over the last decade.

As I recently sat down with this couple, I was reminded that, in addition to our faith, another significant item has held us together when it could have been easy to lose touch with each other, literally and figuratively. This glue was ministry, a dedication to serving God together wherever the need arose. From summer camps to bible studies, our mutual desires to be servants together has always brought us spiritually and emotionally closer, even when we don’t realize it, and has often made doing “hard work” for Christ much easier.

My reflection on these three people reveals much to me about Jesus as an example of the perfect friend:

  1. He’s faithful, protecting his followers from a stormy sea, for example, despite their distrust.
  2. He’s sacrificial, surrendering his physical life to secure eternal friendships.
  3. He’s forgiving, pardoning Thomas’ doubts and Peter’s denials.

I am by no means a perfect friend, but I am thankful to know that as I attempt to walk in wake of Christ’s example, I not only have the chance to develop lasting relationships on earth, but that I can also be called a friend of Jesus. How amazing it is to imagine hearing these words which the Son of God shared with his closest companions”

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

John 15:15 (NIV)

questions to consider

  1. Have you taken the first fundamental step in creating lasting friendships with Christ and others, accepting Jesus as the Savior he claims to be?
  2. What deliberate steps are you taking to preserve the relationships in your own life? How can Jesus’ life help guide you in this area?
  3. How are you and your friends serving Christ together? And, if you are not, how will you begin to after today?

prayer

Father God, how gracious is your companionship and guidance in our lives, despite our sin and disobedience. Thank you for desiring intimate relationships with each of us and for offering friendships here on earth as a chance for us to learn how to love each other and the world around us. Your Son was our perfect example; please help us work together in ways that would make us worthy of being called friends as well as servants.