For so long I thought that having a best friend would complete my life. I prayed for years that Jesus would supply me with a friend who was like me and would never leave me out. And He has provided some awesome friendships over the years...
But when it comes down to it, the label 'best friend' doesn't matter. Everything that's happened in the past doesn't matter. The pain of old friendships will go away.
I have found that my friendships will be as deep as I allow them to be. I receive about as much truth as I give. If I can't be trusted with secrets, then the chances are high that neither can my friends. If I am gossiping with my friends or about them, then they are probably gossiping about me, too, when I'm not around.
Because to have a friend is to be a friend.
We can complain day in and day out that our friends don't measure up...but is everything really about us?? Were human beings ever meant to measure up to the 'perfect' standard we wish to acquire? If we expect our friends to never let us down...we are setting them up for failure.
Romans 3:23 -- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
That's not fair. God is a God of grace and mercy...not pointing out wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 -- Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
I have found that my 'friendship expectations' have always been way too high. Slowly, Jesus has redeemed the word friend in my life and shown me himself through others and through his own presence in my life. Because in reality...Jesus Christ alone is enough for me. It's taken a lot for me to realize that...but He is all I need. And he is always with me.
Colossians 3:11b -- Christ is all that matters, and he's living in all of us.
No matter how many times I feel beaten down, broken, lonely, hopeless...Jesus Christ never leaves me.
Plus, since when is everything about me? This is such a huge world with huge issues...why would my own friendships ever need to be my only focus? There are people who are living in true oppression. Slaves. People who need healing. People who can't afford food, water, shelter. Orphans. Abused. People who have lost all hope.
But I have hope. I am blessed. I know who Jesus Christ is. And He is all that I need. Instead of complaining I need to be helping others find out about this amazing truth. This world needs it's King to be put on His true throne. We need to remember where we came from and listen to him as he leads us on this journey.
Instead of always asking why our friends aren't good enough...why don't we ask ourselves if we would even be our own friend? What qualities do I even offer that are beneficial?
Why are we so quick to judge others, but reluctant to look at our own faults?
Friendships are hard. But Jesus is enough.
He will supply all your needs. He'll never misinterpret your words. He'll never drop you when you make a mistake. His love never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on us. Blessed be the name of the Lord. The only one who will never let us down.
Praise His name!
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