Choosing FriendsSample

CHOOSING FRIENDS

God never created the dynamic partnership of true friendship. Before the very beginning of the beginning, friendship was. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were in deep friendship before they made a plan to create the universe or humankind to enjoy it. God created us with the capacity and need for friendship because friendship always was in the very nature of the triune God, and we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26).

Having friends is a fundamental element of ordinary life; choosing the right friends is an essential factor for an abundant life. The friends you choose directly impact the choices you make in life. The people closest to us can help, or hurt, our self-control. Even our morality hangs in the balance depending on the friends we choose. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (1 Cor. 15:33).

Here are just a few ways good friends add value to our lives:

Multiplied Impact: This is one of the most awesome phenomena seen in God’s creation. When a person is “going it alone,” they possess defined limits of productivity. But add a friend to the equation and now 1+1=3, or possibly more. I’ve seen this with my bride of thirty-four years. When we are locked at the hip around a common goal or task to be done, we energize each other and see that multiplied impact. A friend who shoulders the load with you is a friend who wants to maximize the potential in both of you.

Life Support: The question isn’t, “Will we fall down in life?” The question is, “Who will be there to help me up?” A friend who is life support will give up personal comforts and convenience so you can live.

Got Your Back: This life is a spiritual war, and Satan doesn’t fight fair. People don’t fight fair either. Defending has to be done from time to time. But having someone who has your back when you’re getting bloodied from behind can save your life and help you live to fight another day. A friend who has your back will defend you against gossip, betrayal, misrepresentation, or any number of attacks from your blind side.

Over the next few days, we’ll learn how to discern between fools and friends, how to separate ourselves from fools, and build intentional friendships that will move us toward the abundant life God promises.

THE ROAD TO BETTER FRIENDSHIPS:

• Think about the best experiences of friendship you’ve had in your life.
• Thank God for creating us in His image with the capacity for deep friendships.
• Ask God to open your heart and help you build more of those kinds of friendships in the future and also to learn how to do that over the next few days.