Friends

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance. 2 Timothy 3:10

The beauty of connecting with others is that we have the opportunity to develop friendships with people who are very different from us.

Friendships can expose us to new experiences and ideas. When you think about people who have enriched you life simply because you know them, who comes to mind?

Friends can teach you all kinds of amazing lessons about life and God. Four friends to consider inviting into your life: someone who can mentor you (like Paul), someone you can mentor (like Timothy), someone who shows love through quiet listening (like Mary), and someone who show love through service (like Martha).

We should prayerfully ask for God's wisdom and guidance in our closest relationships. We also should pay attention to some of the choices Jesus made in His friendships.

 

When Jesus selected the disciples, He did not pick people who would become His followers but those who would become His friends. His choices in the disciples reveal something about the richness that comes from a diversity of friends as demonstrated in His relationships with John, Peter, Thomas and Nathanael.

Who is in your inner circle of friends? How are they challenging you to grow personally and in your faith journey?

Make a list of your twelve closest friends. Next to each name, make a list of the person's strengths an how he or she enriches your life. Spend time in prayer thanking God for each person.

Be blessed and be a blessing! Most of all "be a friend!"