Nurtured by Friendship
Friendship just may be the most powerful force known to the human experience. But it is also a very delicate and vulnerable pursuit. In order to cultivate; massive amounts of “friend fertilizer” will be required. Be duly advised; it isn’t cheap. But, the investment one makes in “nurturing” friendships will yield incredible benefits. The harvest is massive and guarantees an inner life brimming over with bushels of peace, joy, love, belonging and covering. The benefits trump the investment hands down.
My dear friend Alan recently shared the following with me. “Finding a true friend is like trying to find a diamond in the sea. It would take forever, but destiny guides the path of the impossible.” The value of a true friend is far greater than all the jewels in the earth. The effort is rewarded by the impossible becoming realized as a vital element of our destiny. And the apprehension of friendship is nurtured by the diligence of the search. You will never regret the price paid for friendship.
Friendship also nurtures potential. We will be less than God’s expected end for us without friends. The fullness of our destined potential cannot be reached in a friendless vacuum. You may envision yourself as friendless, but those who invest in being a friend will be rewarded with friends. At the very least, we are invited into “divine friendship”.
“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.’ John 15: 11-15, The Message (emphasis mine). The Cross is the most poignant picture of this incredible offer of “divine friendship”.
Plunging into the depths of “divine friendship” will take all of eternity. In this relationship, ‘deep calls to deep’. King David puts it like this; “God-friendship is for God-worshipers; they are the ones he confides in.” Psalm 25:14, The Message. How amazing, that the very Creator of all things will confide in us as his friends. “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17b-19, NIV. Divine friendship will saturate every part of your being with unconditional love and evoke worship from the depths of your heart.
Also, this “divine friendship” empowers the development of friendship between brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, parents and children, extended family, and fellow strugglers on the path of life. I know I would not be functioning today apart from my friends. King Solomon sheds light on the awesome benefits of being and having friends.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, The Message. I can’t tell you the times this truth about friendship has been proven in my journey. May you be blessed and nurtured by friends that you can safely share the journey of life with.
In the grip of the grace of “divine friendship”, Ron Ross
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