Todays sermon at Mars Hill was about the very wrenching topic of divorce. I've never experienced divorce, I've never seen a friend divorced, I've never really been directly effected by divorce.
I guess the greater idea of divorce brought to mind the changing of life. The fact that even the greatest vow and promise to another human being can be broken, crushed, destroyed. Wasted. Made me realize that friendship, although not as nearly as intense, can be the same way. We will throughout life lose some friendships and make new ones. Some will last all our life and some will end after months. I've had many amazing friendships that have only lasted a month or two. Sometimes those short friendships come back later in life but sometimes that little time you had with that person is all you'll get.
One of my biggest examples was a friendship with a dear brother and someone who i still consider a great friend but unfortunately we live worlds apart (literally). I spent a month in Africa almost 3 years ago and it was one of the best times of my life. Two people who knew each other so little and nothing of the others past and coming together and being so close that parting only a few weeks later brought tears to both our eyes.
Another brother who i've only known 3 short months is moving to Seattle. It was a friendship I never expected but nevertheless one of the most enjoyable, nurturing, growing relationships i've had. Will I keep in contact? I sure hope so but his role in my life and mine in his will probably be diminished. Not because I want to see less of him but because God is taking our lives to other places.
I guess lately i'm finding a peace in although most friendships will not last forever I know that in removing someone from my life he will bless someone else with their presence and he will bring me into the life of someone who needs me there.
People who I hope will be there the rest of my life may not be. But I rest in the fact that God has a plan and God will provide me with the companionship I long for. I also realize that if God has solitude for me that he will bless me there and that is how he needs me to grow.
Proverbs 17:17 is one of my favorite verses on friendship.
"A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity"
A friend loves you all the time. Through thick and thin, through every up and down, through every harsh or kind word. Through everything.
The greatest friend we have is Christ who loves us unconditionally and will not leave us or forsake us. What a great gift friendship is. I thank God for friends and his infinite mercy in my life.
I was done there but I think i'll add this verse that I think of when investing in a friendship.
Proverbs 13:20
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm"
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