Guest Post
Rebekah Lyn
Reblogged
Earlier this month, I took a trip to visit my best friend. We spent a couple of days in Nashville, exploring the Cheekwood Estate and the Frist Museum, probably not the first places that come to mind when you hear Nashville. That’s the great thing about our relationship. We both enjoy off-the-beaten-path, unsung gems in the places we visit. Yes, we wandered down South Broadway past all the popular bars and restaurants. I even convinced her to tour the Ryman Auditorium (which she loved despite her hesitancy).
We’ve known each other for over 30 years, but for most of that time, we’ve had anywhere from 200 to 3,000 miles between us. Despite the distance, we always pick up where we left off when we get together. She is my polar opposite – outgoing, quirky, a magnet for meeting people. The thing I love about her most, though, is we can share things with each other without judgment. We support each other through the tough times and meltdowns. Even though we don’t talk every day, I would be lost without her.
There isn’t much in the Bible specifically about friendship. Two of the most well-known stories are about David and Jonathan (King Saul’s son), and Job’s three friends. These stories are complete opposites. Despite King Saul wanting to kill David, Jonathan stands by his friend (1 Samuel 20). Meanwhile, Job’s friends came to his side following all the calamities that befell him and sat in silence for seven days. When they did speak, they became increasingly accusatory.
No friendship is without pitfalls. We are all flawed and will let each other down at some point. In the book of Acts, we learn about a young man named John Mark, who Barnabas and Paul took with them on one of their missionary journeys. Unfortunately, Mark was young and didn’t complete the trip, which Paul took great offense with. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark on a second journey, Paul was against this because of Mark’s previous breach of trust. This caused a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas to the point that they went on separate journeys (Acts 12-15).
This seems like a rift that cannot be repaired, yet in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we learn Mark is with him once again, and later in 2 Timothy, Paul is asking for Mark to be sent to him “because he is helpful to me in ministry”. Mark had matured and become a good friend to Paul. We can learn from this relationship that even in the face of shattered relationships, there is always a glimmer of hope for reconciliation and healing.
So, to anyone out there struggling with a broken friendship, hold on to the hope that reconciliation is possible. With time, effort, and a genuine commitment to growth, you too can mend the fractures and restore what was once lost.
Don’t forget to check out the resources page I’m developing with content I have found encouraging, has taken me deeper in my walk with God, and generally builds my hope.
Old Things R New 