Friendship

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15: 12-14

Do you have a best friend? It’s a special relationship, like no other.

Friendship is knowing that you can call on each other in times of need, confident you will be there for each other. It is knowing that you can tell your “bestie” anything at all, and they won’t judge you or break off their friendship. It is a partnership built on trust and intimacy, that grows and deepens as you go through life together.

Friendship is a joy and a comfort, and lack of friendship can lead not only to loneliness, but also depression and ill health. Recent scientific studies show that, even accounting for other factors, such as living conditions and past health history, having poor social support networks and a lack of close friendships can increase the risk of many chronic illnesses, and even reduce our lifespans. Loneliness is a new plague sweeping the modern world.
But there is Good News, as the verses from John, above, attest.

“What a friend we have in Jesus!”

My chosen hymn reminds us of everything that is special about a close relationship with a loving friend. Someone to share our troubles with. Someone who knows all our human fallibilities and loves us unconditionally. Someone who understands our sorrows and pain, for He has felt them too, and He will give you the comfort needed to go on.

We know that Jesus is our true “bestie”. He says so Himself when he is talking to the disciples at the Passover Feast. He tells us that we are His friends, if we follow His example to love one another. He is laying down His life for US.

For Us! For You! For Me! For anyone who learns to love the Lord, and declare themselves His followers, by acting in accordance to God’s Will. What a precious thing this friendship is. And, by obeying God’s commands, it is a friendship that is deeper and stronger than anything we can experience on Earth, for it is everlasting.

Let Us Pray:

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that Jesus chose us to be His friends! Help us to blossom under this act of everlasting friendship, so that we may go forth and bear the fruits of Witness, as You commanded us to. We trust in You and offer our prayers to You. We know You listen to us and guide us through the Holy Spirit – the gift of Christ, our truest Friend. Help us to Love each other, Lord, as You have shown Your love to us, through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.