Today, we continue our talk on friendships. God is concerned with who we call 'friend', what we talk about and do together, and if we are building each other up in Christ. How do you know someone is a 'friend'? Because they are a safe place to talk with, trust is valued by them, they are supportive, they are fun to be with, they are truthful even when it hurts, they encourage, and they point towards Christ.
So, what draws us to someone that makes us want to be their friend? Simalarities, personality types, looks like us, friend of a friend, same age group, listeners who truly listen, or someone who is a total opposite of ourselves. There are examples in the bible of unlikely friendships too. We see it in the bond between Naomi and Ruth. Friendship can be more than kindness--it means loyalty, love and devotion. It's a bond that will endure pain, personal sacrifice, and loss in order to remain loyal to another person.
Ruth 1:16-17 "Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” "
What aspects of Ruth and Naomi's friendship can we take for our own friendships? Their bond was between a daughter-in-law and a mother-in-law, two generations, they provide and support for each other. Its important for us to have friends from all different phases of life. We can all learn from each other, whether it's 'yes, I've been there too' or 'no, I need help with this problem' or 'let's walk thru this together.' God has great plans for diverse friendships, like Naomi and Ruth's. Diversity in friendships keeps us from being one-dimensional and helps us grow in many aspects of our lives.
Our future friendships could be right around us, but we must be open minded, intentional, and get out there with other people. We must strive to heal our broken relationships and be open to creating a friendship. We must take initiative to getting to know others who we may not easily gravitate to. Friendship can be a surprise blessing for both involved, so seek and you will find more than you ever thought possible in a 'true friend.'
