The Message of LeadershipSample

LAST TO LET YOU DOWN

"But friendship is precious; not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine."
-Thomas Jefferson

When I was a young man just starting out in Christian ministry, an older, wiser man invited me out to lunch because he wanted to have a straight talk with me. He had observed some dangerous tendencies in my life and was willing to point them out to me as a friend. I was crushed. From my vantage point, his observations were wrong, and I was an innocent person. However, in the coming days, weeks, and even years, the truths of his observations were revealed.

That wise man is still my friend today and his words still help me. There were others in my life who I thought were friends, but when I really needed them, they let me down. I even allowed some of them to
drag me down with their less than godly character and worldview. Be very careful of the friends you choose. They have a dramatic impact on how you interpret life and everything you do. The same is true of
business associates, partners, your spouse, and anyone else you let into your life. If you choose foolish people to share your world with, you will end up a fool as well.

You will need at least six good friends because that’s how many it will take to carry your casket to the grave. Quite literally, your friends should be the last to let you down.

Essential Insight 14: Choose your friends carefully.