Focus Verse: A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (AMP)
In today’s society, everyone is quick to use the word friend. With social media connecting us more and more, it is so easy to get a misconstrued view of what a friend really is.
I was talking to one of my college friends a while ago and we were just chatting about what true friendship looks like. One of her friends asked her why she was always willing to be a friend even when the friendship isn’t always reciprocated? How is it that she is always there even in times when she knows the same may not be granted to her? Her answer convicted me.
“Because a friendship is not about what I can get, but what I can give. When I know God has called me to a person, it’s not about me, but how I can serve that person better.”
In the past, I have been known to be all about friendship… until you hurt me. My friendship came with stipulations. The most troubling part about that is, I didn’t keep friends long because, newsflash, people will hurt you. After those friendships didn’t last, I would build false relationships where I wouldn’t allow people to get close enough to hurt me.
But the Word of God is contrary to that in its teaching. Our focus verse teaches us that a friend loves at all times. The Contemporary English Version states it this way, “A friend is always a friend…” In order to be the type of friend our scripture verse and my friend exemplifies, we have to be willing to remove ourselves from the equation, not me, but you. This is the same love and friendship Christ showed to us when He gave His life on the cross for us, not Me, but you, Matthew 20:28.
I challenge you today, to evaluate your friendships and the people that God has called you to build a community with. Are you seeking to serve or be served, not me, but you?
Prayer: What an amazing God You are! Thank You for this reminder. So many times I want to look like myself when You desire for me to look like Your Son and resemble His characteristics, please forgive me. Help me to remember friendships are not about what I can get, but what I can give. Allow me to continually look to You Son for guidance for how I should conduct myself. Today, I will focus on “not me, but you”. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
Amen! This a great reminder!
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I am grappling with being a friend to someone who has hurt and disappointed me and not truly put me first. It is humbling because God keeps sending me back when I try to walk away. Almost like He is teaching me, even at this age, what true friendship is about. It’s also how I know it’s God. Left to my own devices, I would have bounced a long time ago. Awesome and timely Word.