Along With….

There are times when I’ve done things totally on my own. There are times when I’ve been part of a big huge group participating in an event. I’ve been to big events with thousands of people and felt alone.  I believe that we were wired for friendship and close relationship. I believe that we often do life with the people we spend the most time with.  Over the years I’ve made friends with people and then when they moved away or I moved away, the friendship faded. There are other friendships that have stood the test of time. I have some friendships that I can miss any sort of contact for several months yet pick right up where we left off. Friendships are powerful to encourage me, inspire me, support me and love me.  I think Paul was advising Timothy to choose good friends to help him. Check this out…

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22 NIV)

My closest friends have the same spiritual values as I have. My closest friends will call me out when I’m headed in a wrong direction. I feel like I really know the heart of my closest friends. I’ve seen their values lived out. I’ve seen their faith demonstrated. I need my close, spiritual friends to help me in my pursuit of righteousness, faith, love and peace. I need my close friends to help me remember how foolish the desires of my youth were and still are.

I want to pursue God along with my close friends who also want to pursue God. We are stronger together!