John 15:13 ~ Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
What
makes a good friend? Someone who runs
errands for you when you're sick? Who takes your kids off your hands
when you need a break? Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and
listens? Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with
you? Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and
follower of God?
In each of these examples, we see friendship
taking an active form. As I have studied the Bible, I see three
instances of friendship in action. In Job 2:11-13 we see how Job's
friends came to help him as he faced hardship.
Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend
- even if it was just to sit silently beside him. They knew that just
their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him. Then, in Job
42:10, after Job prayed for his friends, God blessed him with twice as
much as he had lost!
In Acts 24:23, even though it was ordered that Paul be kept under guard,
his friends were permitted to take care of his needs, which they did.
Acts 28:15 shows us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends
can
encourage us. Paul's friends heard he was coming so they traveled a
great distance to greet him. For Paul this was a huge blessing.
Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your
behalf will put wind in your sails. I love that Paul first thanked God
for his friends. I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a
gift from God.
