Two words fit well with the term "friend." One is necessity. Though some feel they do not need friends, the opposite is true. We all need close friendships. The other word is cherish. To be sure, each of us can be indifferent or careless about friends. That is a great mistake.
I am reminded of the scripture, Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loveth at all times..." To have friends, you must be a friend. To take these friendships to a deeper level, open your life to the people with whom you want to have friendship. Those who remain aloof from others find it difficult to develop deep friendships.
There are several areas of knowing if you are a good friend:
1) Be hospitable. Martha did a simple thing - she "received Him [Jesus] into her house" (Luke 10:38).
2) Be a good listener. Mary, Martha's sister, chose the good thing; she was happy to sit at the feet of Jesus listening to all He said (Luke 10:39).
3) Recognize the value of friends. Life's road is better traveled in the company of friends than alone. "Two are better than one" (Ecclesiastes 4:9).
4) Pray for your friends. Jesus prayed for His friends; He is our Example (John 11:41,42).
5) Have a "Circle of Friends." The comfort and joy that Jesus gave to Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Peter, James and John as a Friend that sticks closer than a brother is always more than enough to encourage us to press forward.
Let me encourage you to find ways to let your friends know how you feel about them and how much you appreciate them. Each is a precious gift from the Author of friendship.
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