(Exciting news!!! I have Nina's FIRST BLOG POST!!! BWAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! ^_^ Enjoy it!)
FRIENDS
There are many angles to look at when considering friendship.
We discovered in Luke 10:24-37 that “Neighbor” and “Friend” are interchangeable in the parable of the good Samaritan.
We are to be the friend to anyone in need. We see this need everyday in the school halls, classrooms and churches as the outcast girl or boy. You know, the one who stands alone.
Then there is Proverb 18:24 that says: A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.
What is this saying? Simply that we can’t just stand around and expect friends to automatically appear! That’s a form of pride. Instead, we need to make the 1st move, draw someone out, and be safe around them. How? Ask them questions about themselves and then Listen! Try to refrain putting the subject on you.
So you wanna start a new friendship right? Proverbs 12:26 says: A righteous man is cautious in friendship.
Here’s how I think of applying this verse. In my possession, I have fanned out an invisible deck of cards that no one can see but me, hee hee. Each card represents bits and pieces of me. I select with care which card I want to share with my potential new friend. Now I wait and see how that information is treated, and then make the call as to if and what card to play next.
Remember what Mat 7:6 cautions: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
There is another realm that merits exploring to help equip us in wise friendships.
Levels! Let’s just say there are four of them.
Level one being acquaintances. Hi! Howyadoin? Fine! Cool.
Two can be considered occasional encounters, possibly a mentoring type of relationship here. Hang out for coffee or meet for an outing.
Three gets into deeper, more meaningful exchanges, but perhaps you know that it is not completely safe b/c you may question aspects of their character.
Level four friends are such a GIFT! These are the ones that you can safely expose your heart to.
Proverbs 27:17 says: Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Isn’t that Great?!! A rare, Trusting friendship that you allow someone to speak into your life and visa a versa.
Let me pose another question to you: Who chooses Who?
Well, there are pros and cons in both directions. I think it is a 2-way street and w/good boundaries, positive possibilities are there like fruit for the picken.
Be aware, if you wait to be invited into a friendship or group of friends, you may wind up in the wrong crowd.
If you do the picking you may have regrets if you play too many cards too fast.
Lastly, gonna touch on the subject of our words to help refine some weak points we battle with. Being considered a good friend you will have certain qualities:
- You don’t give evil reports (gossip) Don’t talk behind someone’s back.
- You don’t receive evil reports (slander) Direct the conversation to the positive side.
- Eph. 4:15: but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ
- Eph 4:29: Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
Many blessings to you on your always evolving road to friendships!
<3 <3 <3 Nina
