April 22, 2021 – Click here to listen
I’m facing a real dilemma. Practically all of my fishing buddies are heading back up north for the summer. It kind of caught me by surprise; I knew that they would migrate but I didn’t think they would do so this early. After all the best fishing of the year in the keys is in May.
I wrote to my Bible study partner this morning and said that it looks like I was going to have to make some new friends; it’s either that or fish alone. Fishing is much more enjoyable when good friends get together, in fact, it is much more enjoyable in life to spend time with friends for most things.
The value of friends in incalculable. Someone has said, “A real friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” Do you have any friends you can call at 4 a.m.?
Ulysses S. Grant once said, “The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.”
I immediately thought of Jesus when I read these words. No greater friend exists or could possibly come close, especially in times of adversity; nonetheless, His Holy Bible has countless verses instructing us to make friends with those around us. Most of the people I know lament the fact that they have very few “true” friends, saying they can count them on one hand.
Why is that? Busy lives and busy people caught in the doldrums of routine?
Today I have friends all over the country and in fact I have many in other parts of the world, but aside from talking to them by phone, text, or email now and then I cannot enjoy or nurture those friendships due to the distance. I enjoy friends with whom I can interact daily and go to church, fishing or lobstering, go out to eat, catch a concert or art show, or just sit around talking about weighty and non-weighty issues.
In order to have friends I have found that I have to be friendly myself and be a friend. I cannot be judgmental and have to realize that no one on this planet is perfect in every way, first and foremost me. I can’t pick apart every little shortcoming that I perceive, rather accept the bad with the good. Life is not a one way street and friendship is not just about you. Personally I have friends who could call me 24/7 and I’d be there for them. In fact in some cases I would take a bullet for them.
One thing that has helped me find new friends is my desire to share the Gospel. God supernaturally brings His people together and we should recognize it. Recently I’ve been attending a new men’s Bible study class and have met several good people through it. Attending something like that not only affords you an opportunity to meet new people, but it provides an opportunity to invite someone to attend the study with you. Another bonus is that one can generally meet some folks whose outlook on life is similar. Steel sharpens steel comes to mind. And of course there is the fact shared in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” That alone is worth the effort to attend small groups or church or one on one conversations with a few friends on a boat or whatever.
We are warned not to be deceived in 1 Cor. 15:33 “Bad company ruins good morals.” This is not to say we should avoid them like the plague. Jesus spent much time with avowed sinners, but his inner circle and closest friends, His disciples, were comprised of those who tried to follow Him and His commands as best they knew how.
So I have moved making some new friends to the top of the list. I will be scouring the neighborhood in my golf cart or whatever meeting new people and inviting them to lunch, or to go fishing, or to the Bible study I attend, or church, or whatever. If you don’t have enough friends, I urge you to do the same.
Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.