My Friend’s Faith
I am blessed with lots of friends and acquaintances. I have learned over the years that some people want to become my friend for what I can do for them. There are others whom I’ve connected with that I didn’t really see coming. Some of my college friends whom I’m still close to today come from way different backgrounds and communities. We connected because of our common bond of Jesus. Without Jesus, I would never have gone to a Bible College. My life would look considerably different today had I not know the Lord at a relatively young age.
I remember Mom telling me years ago to choose my friends wisely. I’ve recently heard that you rise to the level of your five closest friends. My friends play a huge role in my life. I’m thankful for our texts, visits, and phone calls. I am humbled to think of the depth of my friendships.
An event happened in the early days of Jesus’ ministry that caught my eye this morning. I don’t think I’ve noticed this before. Check this out…
1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:1-5 NLT)
Jesus healed this guy because of the faith of his friends. They are the ones who carried him to see Jesus. They are the ones who wouldn’t take no for an answer. They are the ones who opened the roof and lowered the man down to Jesus. Jesus saw the faith of this man’s friends and healed him!
As I ponder my friends and how we’re connected. We are connected because of our trust in Jesus and the values that come from the Word of God. The values of love, honesty, integrity, hard work, service, grace, forgiveness – this list could be very long. My friends also laugh with me and occasionally “at” me. I can be a bit goofy sometimes. I am so grateful for the faith of my friends who pray for me. My friends will “call me out” if needed. My friends will come to see me. I could call my friends today and tell them I need them, and they would come. They also know that they can call on me. I think good friends are an incredible gift while we’re here on earth in the land of the dying. My good friends and I are headed to the land of the living because of Jesus. That stirs my heart because of my dear friend’s deep faith.
Pressing On!
Dwayne