The Company You Keep MattersSample

Where You’re Going.

Have you ever gotten this question from a friend: “Hey, are you free on Saturday?” If you haven’t, you might be prompted to respond with an immediate yes. If you have, you probably feel more hesitant, wondering why they’re asking. You might clarify to yourself that you’re free to grab dinner, but you’re not free to help them move. It depends where they’re going, right? The same thing is true in friendships. We often jump into relationships with people like it’s an immediate yes to the question, “Are you free?” We fail to consider where they’re going and if that’s where we want to end up as well.

Scripture describes friendships multiple times in terms of building each other up. It’s fun to connect with people and do things together, but it’s not just about the activity or the fun. Do you feel better about yourself after a day with that friend? Are you sharper? Are you flying higher than you were before? Not every time you’re with your friends leaves you feeling like it was a really impactful moment, but as you look back over time, it’s important to consider the journey. If you realize you’re not going anywhere, or you’re not going where you want to go, it might be time to re-evaluate. God has something specific and unique for you. It’s important to find the friends who will help you get there.

Take stock of your friendships. Looking back, do you see how far you’ve come or do you see someone who you just like to have fun with? Recognize where you are, consider where you want to be, and try talking to your friends about how you can help each other move forward in the right direction.