Friendship – true friendship, is a gift from God.
Folks that will be with you in good times and bad. We see how when disaster strikes that a community will rally around someone – helping to provide food, clothing, shelter and money. Even strangers react in time of need.
Friends just want to hang with you when they could be doing other things. Friends want to hear your voice even though you might not have anything interesting to say. Those are the friends that will be there for you when things are good or bad – true friends. The ones who will tell you the truth even when it hurts your feelings – that’s friendship.
Around here we can communicate that sense of friendship with just a couple of words. Fire? Happy? Sometimes it’s just Dave and I around the fire, talking about our plans and dreams. Other times we have all the chairs filled or maybe it’s just one or two who dropped by. It’s always special to accept the invitation to share someone else’s fire.
An invitation to share our fire or join a happy hour is a time of laughter and conversation – a time of friendship.
The Bible tells us that we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That friend is God. Yes, God has friends.
Abraham was called the friend of God. Abraham believed God and knew God wouldn’t lie to him so he could do what God asked of him knowing it would always turn out right. Isn’t that what friends do? Believe that they won’t be lied to and help out when asked regardless of how much it may inconvenience them personally. Why? Because this is my friend and they would do the same for me it I asked.
“This shows the full meaning of the Scriptures that say, “Abraham believed God, and because of this faith he was accepted as one who is right with God.” Abraham was called “God’s friend.”” James 2: 23 ERV
“And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends.” Romans 5:11 ERV
Friendships need to be cultivated. They come from spending time together. God desires that with us.
Isn’t it time you said to Him – Fire? Happy? I guarantee He’ll join you and He’ll be glad you asked.
