Be That Friend

One way in which God strengthens His people is through His people. As a Christian, this is why it is so important to surround yourself with other people that treasure Jesus and to fight hard against your tendency to be individualistic. We are called to live life in community with other Christians, and through this community we are urged to use our gifts to the fullest, to live transparent lives, and to extend true friendship to others. The apostle Paul reminds us what such friendship looks like:

"Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

Today I have also been reminded that "God cares about fruitfulness. Fruitfulness here is good works. Good works, obedience, a changed life, living a kind of life that makes a difference, that when your life on the earth is done, people miss you because you were a gift to them. You were a channel of God’s grace to them. You provided wisdom or generosity or help or service or rebuke or encouragement. That you were giving. That you were fruitful. That your life counted. That you weren’t just a consumer, you were a producer. You didn’t just take from everyone and everything, but you gave and they were blessed by you." I have been encouraged to be a better friend in 2011. I want my life to be marked by such character traits. And by God's grace I will bear much fruit in this area, I will be that friend.

The quote above comes from The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree by Mark Driscoll. Well worth listening to again and again. And then, just this morning, I read chapter five from The Secrets of a Beautiful Life by J.R. Miller and was encouraged by the words below. It seems to combine perfectly with the sermon I heard on Sunday, our care group discussion last night, and the above mentioned sermon. Great medicine for my soul at the beginning of a new year. 

We all need human friendship. We need it specially in our times of darkness... we should be ready, too, to give the strength of our love to those whom we see passing into the ways of struggle of sorrow. There was another source of help in our Lord’s Garden experience...As we watch him in his struggle, we see that he grows calmer and quieter as he prays. It is evident that divine help comes to him. He is sustained and strengthened... We have the same infinite and unfailing source of help in our times of great need. Human friendship can go with us a little way, yet not into the inner depths of our experience of sorrow or trial. Human sympathy is very sweet, but it is weak, and ofttimes sleeps when we most need its cheer and comfort. But when the human ceases to avail, the divine is ready. In the face of life’s great needs, when no other help can come to us, God comes, and from his divine fullness gives all that we need.