I walked into the church foyer on Sunday and was greeted by a young, twenty-something friend. After cooing over her new baby, exchanging hugs and laughter, she said, “Let’s have lunch and catch up!” My heart smiled as I thought of time with my exuberant friend. I proceeded through the entrance to the sanctuary and was met by another friend and ministry partner of twenty-five years. We quickly began to share and concluded with ‘Let’s do lunch or coffee this week and catch up!” Friendships are especially important.

On Monday, I was led in counseling to advise a young woman who was lonely and struggling, to develop Godly friendships. Also, on Monday, a call from Texas confirmed that a friend and ministry partner of forty-five years would be traveling to Africa with me in June to hold a mid-year conference. On Tuesday, a friend from Alabama called and said, “Let’s go to the beach for a few days in the spring!” Chronologically new and old friendships need to be cared for and valued.

I have for several years set up a “Girls Weekend Get-away Cruise” so moms, daughters, sisters, and friends could enjoy three days away from the responsibilities of life. The three days would be used to nurture those relationships and friendships that refresh and heal our female souls. I have had generations of female family members; women’s church groups and lifelong friends gather for these cruises. Currently, I am coordinating a beach trip weekend getaway in February for women across the US. The fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth during this weekend will be immeasurable!

The philosopher Aristotle said, “In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.” The Mayo Clinic published an article as part of its “Healthy Lifestyle-Adult Health” division, which headlined “Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health.”  It addressed the benefits and the difficulties of friendships and some ways to meet new friends.

It seems to me the Holy Spirit’s spotlight is on friendships this year! As I have been cultivating my friendship garden, I have also been investing in my friendship with Jesus. I don’t say that to minimize the deity of Christ or bring Him down to my level. I write this in faith because of Jesus’s declaration to His disciples in John 15:15 NIV, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”  Jesus has called me and you His friend. Think about that! He is willing to spend time with us, walk, and talk with us about the plans, desires, and relationships of the Kingdom of God. What an amazing friendship we have been given to develop and nurture!

Throughout the Old and New Testament, the theme of friendship is governing. We have missed this at times for we have boiled down our relationship with God to mean “salvation” when God has always wanted friendship and an active relationship with mankind.

Please consider these passages from the Bible that spotlight the friendship between God and man.

Genesis 3:8 NKJV, “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”  Adam and Eve were used to the sound of God’s friendship but hid after their disobedience to His commands.

Genesis 5:24 NKJV, “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

Genesis 6:9 NKJV, “This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

James 2:23 NKJV, “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.”

Friendship in both the Old and New Testament is a strong, covenant word. It is not a flighty, inconsistent term but one that is explained in John 15:13 NKJV, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  A true friend loves when it’s not convenient.

Is it time for us to work on our natural friendships? Is it time for us to work on our friendship with God? It is!