I have a
tendency to categorize people into groups defined by conversational comfort
level. The more I trust an individual with my thoughts, faults, dreams, and
failures, the higher the level on the chart they get placed. We all
do this to some extent. We may just use different names for our groups.
A name in
the news lets you know the person exists. That is the extent of the
relationship. You pass someone on the sidewalk or in the car beside you. You
make eye contact and then it’s all history. You meet someone and exchange
names. Now there is a name with a face. A meeting with someone involves a
conversation about a current event. Multiple meetings transform the stranger
into an acquaintance. Conversations move to include experiences held in common.
Reflections on life become a common topic. Shared experiences become something
sought rather than just memories. An investment is made by both into the life
of the other. A relationship has become a friendship.
Jesus placed
a great deal of emphasis upon friendship. (John 15:13-15) He valued it. He
depended upon it. His humanity came through as he sought to share his life with
his closest set of followers. At times they disappointed him and deserted him
when he needed them most. Yet his friendship with them never faltered, and he
welcomed them back with a word of forgiveness and acceptance.
His circle
of friends was never large, maybe no more than fifteen or twenty counting men
and women. That group was even smaller if you count those in whom he invested
the greatest amount of time and energy, only twelve. Then there was that inner
circle who shared his most private and revealing moments: Peter, James, and
John. (Matthew 17:1-9; 26:36-46)
Friendships
require a major investment. Friendships are worth a major investment. Like a
precious stone, they begin rough and common. With time and effort they reveal
their deepest glory, bringing beauty and light to their setting. That, however,
does not happen overnight. The heart must see the potential. The head must make
decisions. The life must make the investment that often involves sacrifice of
lesser things in order to focus on the more valuable. In the end friendships
add value, richness, and a new vision to life. To make someone a friend is to
bring a blessing into the lives of both.
This fall a
special event is coming to our country. It’s called My Hope with Billy Graham.
Its foundation is made up of friendships. These are relationships that have
been built over months or maybe longer to enrich the lives of each other and also with the intention of creating an
opportunity to share a message of hope. It involves hearing a message coming from
both Billy Graham through national television and someone in their living room
sharing their own experience with Jesus Christ.
This is not
mass evangelism. This is not street corner witnessing to passing strangers.
This is opening up your home to people whom you know and who know you. This is
creating an opportunity for those who have felt your friendship to meet your friend
Jesus.
When Matthew
heard the call from Jesus to follow him, one of the first things he did was invite
all his tax collector friends to come to his house for a banquet. (Luke
5:27-29) There he introduced them to Jesus, the honored guest. Matthew wanted
his friends, his fellow outcasts and social rejects, to meet the man who had
accepted him and called him to be his friend.
You can be a
Matthew. You can introduce your friends to your very best friend in the
familiarity of your own home. I won’t offer many commercials on this blog, but
this one I urge you to consider. Go to www.myhopewithbillygraham.org.
Get the details on how you and your faith family can be involved.
