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Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Last winter, before the CoVid quarantine, we took a trip south to escape the cold, wet weather. We traveled for ten hours and returned to our previous home city to visit with friends. It was as if we’d never left. We were greeted with open arms in the homes of our friends and our church. We were invited to dinners and lunches, and a couple of rounds of golf. We attended our former Bible Study and were absorbed into the warmth of our church friends.
Friendship is something that lives within your heart. And in the past, we talked to our friends each day face-to-face, not realizing what a gift it was to be able to do so.. Nowadays, we are visiting through FaceTime, telephone, zoom, chat, or messaging. We’ve had friends offer to pick up grocery items for us, friends who dropped of gifts “just because”, and friends who made face masks for us. We’ve had driveway visits from friends who pull up, emerge from their vehicles, and stand out in the drive for lengthy periods just because we miss seeing each other.
Friends spend their time together talking, laughing, listening, and supporting each other. True friendships have an additional characteristic of feeling like you are “at home” or anchored and secure in the world. Scripture reminds us that friendships serve a purpose of lifting each other up and supporting each other through rough patches. The verse below, from a letter to the Romans written by Paul, reminds us of the importance of loving and showing honor to others.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
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And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
The love we have from our Father and His Son is the greatest love we will ever know. It is placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This love dwells there, waiting to serve, to comfort, and to guide us in our everyday lives. The friendship with our Father is the ultimate. There will be no greater friend and no greater love. And, as an added blessing, God places worldly friends in our lives, too. I am so thankful.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever Hebrews 13:8
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