Day 12 | The Porcupine’s Problem

Reflection

It’s probably not the most flattering thing you’ve ever been compared to, but German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer says you’re a bit like a porcupine. You feel cold and isolated when you aren’t in close proximity to others. Yet, when you do get close, you hurt them with your spikes, and they hurt you with theirs. And so, as humans, we live with this tension. We desire to be close to people and yet want to protect ourselves from them.

Whether we recognise it or not, we need friends. And if we don’t have friends – as in, proper friends – it’s okay to want them. And if we are sometimes disappointed with the friends we do have, that’s okay too. After all, Jesus had friends, He wanted to have friends, and on more than one occasion, His friends let him down. In the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was staring into the whites of death’s eyes when He needed His friends most, they were falling asleep.

If genuine community and real friendship are a key component of confidence, there’s something we need to do. We need to build proper relationships – relationships where we can give and receive prayer, encouragement, and support for frontline living. Maybe that means building on existing relationships; maybe it means connecting with new people. We might spike and get spiked, but it’s not good for us to be alone.

Who might God be prompting you to message today; to connect with, maybe to arrange a meet-up? If there isn’t anyone, keep praying.

Responding in prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you that You are the ultimate friend.

In light of Your friendship with me, help me to be a good friend to others. Strengthen the friendships I already have. Where I need others, and where they need me, lead me into good friendships.

Lord Jesus, You walked through life with confidence, and You went to death with courage. Through our friendships, may we grow more confident and courageous as we seek to follow You.