John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
A friendship based on mutual interests is an opportunity to sharpen the interests of the other person. In fact, you can grow and develop thanks to the involvement of the other person in your life. God uses friendship not only to transform us but also to make us more like Him.
In Prov 17: 17 we read: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother shows up in times of adversity.” In friendship, the act of “loving your neighbour” is far more than a concept. It means staying by their side if they are depressed following a disappointment, or if they are elated at getting a new job.
That is one reason why many churches emphasise small groups or home groups, or what we call cell groups in our local church. These groups, quite common in Christian circles, allow deep relationships to be built among members.
I recognise that in my own life, I didn’t really make friends simply by coming to Sunday services. I made friends by participating in different cell groups, or by organising weekend retreats as I’ve been doing for the last 4 years. Some of my friendships were formed at these retreats. The objective of these weekends is to allow people to know each other more and to build friendships. It is not, however, the event that changes our lives, but the friendships developed that transform us. Jesus said to his disciples in John 15:15 – “I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you”. Friendship with Jesus and closeness to His heart transformed a group of ordinary men into a group of people who changed the world.
Recently a man of God said that friendship was not a gift; it is something that is built, that is constructed. Friendship doesn’t develop by itself; it takes work, and sometimes it is costly. Friendship is not a convenience, but the fruit of our selflessness.
Prayer points:
– Thank the Lord for the friends that He has placed in our life. Bless them in prayer today.
– Pray that your friendships grow in truth and transparency, that they be rich, and that they would help you make progress in your daily life.
Regine PLACIDE
Jeûne de Daniel 
Votre commentaire