The Weekly Encourager – March 3, 2020 – Christian Friendship

No sooner had I (just about) recovered from the latest injury to my left knee, than my husband Dave injured his left knee! Thank you to those who prayed for my recovery, as I’m now doing much better and walking around well! But, while I was out of town for a couple of days, Dave apparently got up the wrong way from his chair at work and pulled or twisted something quite painfully. So yesterday, we were back in the same walk-in clinic we visited a few days ago, except that this time, it was me driving and helping him get there, rather than him helping me.

In God’s providence, I had recently read this Scripture: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Our marriage has proved this passage true yet again, as one of us literally helps the other up when he falls down. If you’re married, hopefully you also know this reality in your marriage. If this is not true, ideally you are working toward that goal.

But what if you’re not married? Single people have the same need for someone to help them up when they fall. I’m not just talking about literal falls, but the ups and downs of life in general. Do you have someone that you know is there for you no matter what? Perhaps you have a sibling, trusted neighbor, or good friend. It’s my firm belief that one of God’s greatest blessings in this life is the communion of saints in Christ. Even though I am happily married, my husband cannot meet all my needs for friendship and fellowship. There are some things that are more easily discussed with Christian sisters. As women, they understand things that the dearest husband cannot. For those who are single, these friendships are even more important.

I strongly encourage every believer to seek out deep friendships, especially same-sex ones. A few weeks ago, I wrote about my “falling world,” but the truth is that every one of us lives in a falling world. Even if we’re not falling physically, we’re still subject to great temptation by the world, the flesh, and the devil. “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love” sums it up. We each have our weaknesses. Thank God for Jesus, the “friend that sticks closer than a brother!” We can always go to Him in prayer. But we were made to live in community with other believers, our blood brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you have someone who could help you as you struggle with addiction, pornography, depression, gossip, or envy? Is there a friend you could call when you need a ride or a meal or a sounding board? And let’s not expect our pastors to be everyone’s best friend.

Christ Himself is the Head, “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” - Ephesians 4:16 The “joints” are our individual friendships in Christ. As each relationship grows in depth and commitment, the whole body is strengthened. As two of us are open with one another, weep together, and rejoice together, my continuing loving friendship with a sister in the Lord benefits the whole church!

If you don’t yet have such a friend, your local church would be the first place to start. Join a small group Bible study or fellowship group. Volunteer to serve in some way. Whether it’s teaching children, cooking meals, trimming bushes, or blessing the needy, service provides opportunities to meet people with similar interests. Go to retreats or conferences when they are offered. Participate in group dinners and other events outside the Sunday morning services. As you do these things, pray that the Lord will guide you to someone with whom you can have a healthy supportive friendship. He will provide! And keep an open mind, for the friend He brings may not be who you expected. Trust in the Lord - He may surprise you.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will provide to each of your children at least one true friend in the faith. Since this is an essential part of our walk with You, we trust that You will guide us to those whom we can help, and those who can help us grow in Christian love, faith, and purity. We ask this for our good and Your glory, for our hope is in Jesus alone. Amen.

God is faithful,
j