Blessed By Friends
Friendships are one of the great gifts in life. Having good people in your life you can count on is a wonderful blessing. Being the kind of friend that others can count on is rewarding. Unfortunately, we sometimes fail to invest the time and energy into our relationships that they deserve. Our busyness and preoccupation with life’s responsibilities and challenges can cause us to drift away from people we love and need. If we’re not careful, we can take the precious gift of friendship for granted.
Staying connected with the people God places in our lives takes effort. This has to be a priority if it’s going to be sustained. Part of the motivation for this investment comes from understanding the incredible benefits we experience when we nurture our friendships.
The Bible is very clear about the benefits of the right personal relationships. Take a look at the words of Solomon as he reflected on godly friendships:
"I observed yet another example of meaninglessness in our world. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. — Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (NLT)
Solomon reminds us that good friendships add purpose to life. They inspire us and help us stay focused. They keep us on the right track.
The right friendships also make us more productive. The Bible says that “two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one.” When people work together in unity, serve together in harmony, invest together in agreement, great accomplishments come.
Good, godly relationships protect us too. They provide us wisdom, encouragement, and needed adjustments along our life journey that guard us from bad decisions and spiritual mistakes. Good friends are there to help rescue us from the foolish things we sometimes think and do.
The right friendships add power to us. When we cultivate relationships with people who are wiser than we are, more mature in their walk with God than we are, have learned things we need to know to live life God’s way, we’re spared lots of problems. Why be stubborn and insist on learning from your own mistakes when you can learn from the wisdom of people God has placed in your life for your good.
What friends are in your life? Are they the right friends? Decide to pursue good, godly friendships. Invest in and nurture the wonderful relationships God has given to you. Your life and the lives of your friends will be better for it!
Dale O'Shields
For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
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