Friendship
Photo by Ricardas Brogys on Unsplash
I recently came across an article about friendship. Research posted on the Science Direct website , states that, ‘We find considerable changes in personal relationships within seven years.’
This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as relocating to study or work, moving in with partners, getting married, focusing on a career or starting a family.
My friendships have changed over time. As a teenager, I had a wonderful group of friends in our church youth group. We had a lot of fun together, alongside growing in our Christian faith.
When I got married, and we started a family, the friendship groups gravitated towards other young adults like us.
As time has moved on, some of these families have moved away and new people have become friends.
Being part of the same church for most of my life has meant that there are some friendships that have lasted a long time. We have walked together, sharing life’s ups and downs.
I have found that the church really is a community, and our shared faith and regular rhythm of gatherings helps to maintain the friendship.
Beyond that, there is a small handful of friends who I would say are ‘lifelong’. I have known these people for over 30 years, and even though they no longer live near me now, our friendship is so deep that when we meet, we just pick up where we left off with ease!
In the book of Proverbs, known as the ‘wisdom book’ of the Bible it states…
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This is true for me, It’s these friends who have been there, not only in the good times, but when I have gone through some of the lowest and hardest times of my life. It is very special to have friends like that.
Some say that this proverb points to Jesus, who came hundreds of years after it was written. I think they may be onto something! In the New Testament, Jesus said that he would never leave us nor forsake us – that sounds like a friend who sticks closer than a brother to me.
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader