Friendship – Day 21

We have learned from many different friends in the Bible, over the last month, and how they responded to different situations. Here we learn about friendship from Jesus himself and he speaks plainly about it. Love each other. Die for them if you have to.

Friendship is about sacrifice. It is about the other person, not you. Jesus is the perfect example: to be a friend means we need to give and expect nothing in return. Sometimes, it is not easy to do, especially if we care deeply about the person for which we are sacrificing. However, Jesus did not say his way would be easy, did he?

How closely do you model Jesus’ example of friendship? What stands in your way of considering someone else’s needs over your own? What can you do today to reach out to someone in your world? Your small gesture may mean the world to someone else.

Celebrate old friendships and generate new ones. Deepen your roots; renew and strengthen the long-term friendships you enjoy. As life progresses, those relationships change. Expand your networks, reach out to people you do not know. There is always someone nearby who needs what you can give.