They have shared your joys, heartbreaks, long-running jokes, arm-in-arm victories, bold prayers of faith, laughter, and refreshment in the Word.
One of life’s greatest blessings and sweetest rewards is the bond of intimacy and joy experienced through one-of-a-kind friendships knit together by Christ.
Iron sharpening iron kinds of friendships centered in God with His calling in their hearts and His words on their lips. They aren’t afraid to challenge you, protect you, nurture you, hold you accountable, and provide a safe place for transparency and honest communication.
I did not have friends like that before I became a Christian 20 years ago - mainly because I was not a friend like that. My old friends were world-oriented and materialistic-based. That’s where I was, so that’s where my friends were. But the more I attended church and got involved in various ministries, God began changing my definition of friendship.
These new Christian friends did not put a limit on love because they understood God’s everlasting love. After Dad passed away several years ago, Mom decided to move back here to be closer to my sisters and I. Two of my closest friends drove with me to Fort Worth to help Mom pack up and move. They delighted in doing it simply to love on me and my Mom. I cannot tell you how tender my heart is toward those two incredible, godly friends. They are two of my closest friends to this day because in that act of sacrificial love I saw Jesus.
My closest friends serve side-by-side with me at my home church. Whenever I spend time with these women, I always leave with a greater appreciation for all they’ve taught me, how much they love Jesus, and the kind of friend I strive to be. To get a friend like that, we have to be one.
Christ-focused friends encourage us to become grace-centered comrades suited up in God’s armor ready to take our place on the spiritual battlefield. I'm so thankful for those close friends that God has placed in my life. We link arms to team up and serve Him with joy in our hearts and heaven in our sights.
Let's chat: Do you have friends like that? Are you a friend like that?
