When you think about the most celebrated moments in your life, who were you surrounded by? What about the rocky times, the real pits and crazy times of your life? Who was there? I am thankful that God’s promises are true and that, regardless of my circumstance, he is there! I am also so blessed to have friends that are there through the peaks and valleys with me, encouraging me, praying for me, showing up. We are on this journey together.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
— John 1:33 ESV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
— Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have. It is the ultimate example that we were never meant to walk through life alone, and in addition, from the very beginning, God saw our need for companionship.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
— Genesis 2:18 ESV
Throughout the Bible, we have incredible examples of people doing life together. For example, David and Jonathan were instantly connected.
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
— 1 Samuel 18:1 ESV
Ruth and Naomi fostered a love that allowed them to follow each other wherever their journey might take them, even to death.
But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!”
— Ruth 1:16–17 MSG
Job’s friends were there the moment he faced his greatest times of distress. They mourned with him and comforted him. They listened and even sat in silence to just be there and be present with him.
In the book of Mark, friends came together to meet the greatest need of their friend. They inconvenienced themselves, carried him, and even tore through a roof to bring their friend to Jesus.
Mary, Martha, Jesus and Lazarus had a friendship that shared love to the point where friends were family. Right, wrong or indifferent, Martha spoke straight from her heart without pretension or even a second thought.
Paul mentored Timothy and he even referred to him as a son.
God’s word is the owner’s manual for our lives. It is the only guide we need. These are just some of the examples of incredible friendships in the Bible. People need people. To have a friend is to be a friend. It may not always be convenient. Friends may not always like, but they always love and seek the greatest for the other. Friends live life together, in the messiest and most magnificent of ways. They stand in the gap for each other. They live to love without condition.