“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from their earnest counsel” (Proverbs 27:9).
With the passing of time, I’ve come to realize why it’s so important to choose our friends wisely. This truth resonates on a much deeper level after the loss of a few dear friends. God in His goodness has graciously given me the gift of a handful of cherished friends. These beloved individuals have enabled me, by God’s grace, to become a better person. These special few allow me to be myself, while also encouraging me to be more like Christ.
Good friends inspire us to be our best, to be courageous, and to dream big. True friends never embarrass, belittle, or betray our confidence. These types of friendships are rare, and that is why we guard them as priceless treasures. Each friend is uniquely made in God’s image, and we should place a high value on the precious moments we get to spend with them.
Christ, the most beloved of our friends displayed a love that cannot be measured - “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16). Christ’s sacrificial love for His friends is completely beyond human understanding. He is our ultimate example of what it means to be a true and faithful friend.
God speaks of friendship in His Word
He says that two are better than one
If one falls, they have a hand to lift them
If one is cold, the other will snuggle in
A friend is closer than a sibling
They listen and see beyond all pretense
Friends hold you accountable, without judgment
They are a gift from God to ease life’s burdens
They wash our feet, dry our tears, and bind our wounds
while humbly allowing us to do the same for them
A friend accepts our weaknesses while valuing our strengths
They treasure times of intimacy and forget the moments of discord
A friend loves, forgives, sacrifices, and values the memories
God created friendships for a purpose …
to reflect His love on earth, while giving us a tiny glimpse of heaven
Gracious Father,
May intimate friendships permeate our homes as we love and welcome strangers and friends in Your Holy Name. Amen
Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.