By: Catherine Blades
Can I tell you a story? I want to tell you about a young girl who desperately sought a good friendship that would last. I’ll go ahead and spoil the surprise, this story is mine. Growing up I always noticed others and the close knit friends they seemed to have. I was a little jealous of their relationship. I prayed so many nights for God to send a good friend my way. It seemed like He didn’t hear or that it must be a very small matter compared to the great needs in the world. I desired a “best friend” so badly that I became friends with anyone who seemed to have anything in common with me. I never noticed until later the influence these friends would have on my character. Little by little, I picked up on their way of thinking, their speech, and their priorities.
It can be easy to find companions who are not committed to God. Someone once told me, “You are who you are around.” It’s so true! Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” God made us to desire friendship. Life can be tough, but God does not ask us to walk it alone. If we trust in Him fully He will give us travel buddies along the way. Good friends will keep us accountable to following God. I eventually found those friends in high school and in college. They have been a constant encouragement and have held me accountable to God’s Word.
Can I tell you something else? Even if you feel, as I did, that you don’t have any good close friends or never will find that best friend, you do have One. Christ is the greatest friend we could ever have. Exodus 33:11 describes how the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to a friend. If you look through Proverbs, it is filled with friendship! Proverbs 18:24 describes a friend that is closer than a brother. Christ is a friend that will never leave when things get hard, or gossip about your struggles. He’s a friend that you can always rely on. Friendship is important to God. My Prayer for you is that you would seek friendships that challenge you to grow closer to God. I hope you stop to consider the influence those closest to you have on your character. It took me a long time to realize how important this was, and now I am so thankful for my dear friends.
Shine! 