Sometimes, after the initial introduction, there comes that serendipitous moment when we say, ‘What, you too?’ Whether it’s a shared interest, or a philosophy of life, we realise we have a connection with the person standing before us; a connection holds within the seeds of friendship.

We may have a similar disposition or character; we may be the same nationality and colour or we may be completely different. It doesn’t matter because discovering the seeds of friendship is like embarking on an exciting journey into the unknown.

Sincere and straightforward, we begin enjoying one another’s company. Our conversations are rich, stimulating thoughts and intellect as our horizons broaden. Friends honour us. They hear our words and understand our hearts until we find, whether we’re laughing, chatting or simply taking pleasure in companionable silence, we’ve become firm friends.

The Bible tells us that a friend can be closer than a relative. Perhaps because, to a degree, they are chosen and relatives are not.  A friend is dependable and faithful, loving us whether life is happy or not. Empathising with us in pain and celebrating our joys, they know us to the bottom of our hearts and still love us. Words of truth come from their lips: complimentary words that cause our hearts to swell and corrective words that crash against the wall of our fortified selves.

Different friends challenge me in different ways. Each brings something unique to our relationship that no other friend can impart. Their personality draws something out of me that no other person can reach, challenging me to be more than I am on my own; enabling me to become more the person that God has created me to be.

Yet, friends leave us. Some move away. Some die. And then, there’s the messiness of upsets and disagreements that leaves our dreamed image of the ideal friend disfigured. It is gut-wrenching. Something is lost, something in us dies.

 Only one friend never, no, never leaves us and never lets us down. Jesus! He is the ultimate friend. The friend who went to hell for me, who endured more pain than I can possibly comprehend, and yet still loves me totally and unreservedly. The one with whom I can have a complete and true emotional connection that frees me from the fear of rejection and fits me to become the person God desires me to be; the friend He created me to be.

God gifts us with friends. Old or new, it doesn’t matter. He created us and knowing our need for human friendship, He brings people into our lives that we might enjoy one another’s company, see His beauty revealed in humanity and turn our eyes to our one perfect Friend.