Do You Need a Friend?

A few months ago, my wife convinced me to join the addictive online world of Facebook. I really enjoy it. I’ve made connections with lots of people from my past, present, and future. Sure, even the future. I’ve made new connections on there I’m sure will develop into great friendships.

One of my favorite parts of Facebook is friending. For you non-Facebook types, in this online world you connect with people by labeling them a friend. Early on, I started a joke with Marita that I was going to have more friends than she did even though she had been on Facebook for months before I had. The day I passed her I was sure to let her know. I’ve included Jim and Kim Boyd in my little fun. Right now, I have 427 friends. That’s pretty good, I think. Though Terry Francis has 505. I’m trying to catch up with him. I’ve got a distant cousin who has over 1000. I probably won’t catch up with him.

Mostly, it’s all in fun. I’m not really trying to have more friends than everyone. However, having friends is pretty important to me. I’m betting it’s pretty important to you as well. No one wants to feel they’re all alone. Everyone wants friends.

Obviously, the number one friend we all need is Jesus. Psalm 25:14 says, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” We need the friendship of the Lord. When the Lord is our friend, we can turn to Him in our times of trouble and He will be our help. Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:14-16 both explain that Jesus can be a real help in our times of temptation. We need a friend like that.

However, at the same time, we need to remember that Jesus works through His church and the members of it. We need to develop friendships among God’s people. We can’t be one heart and soul if we don’t become friends (cf. Acts 4:32). We won’t weep with those who weep or rejoice with those who rejoice if we don’t become friends (cf. Romans 12:15). We certainly won’t confess to one another if we don’t become friends (cf. James 5:16).

Proverbs 18:24 tells us there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. That is the kind of friends we need to be to each other. When we are these kinds of friends, we’ll help each other get to heaven. That is why God has put us together. Don’t be ashamed to need friends. Don’t try to go it alone. God never intended us to make this journey on our own. He wants us to have friends. Whether we connect with our friends face-to-face, over the phone or in the virtual world of Facebook, we need to connect somehow. Work on your friendships and you’ll be working on your eternal destiny.

By the way, Marita, Jim, and Kim, in the time it took me to write this article, I have two more friends. I’m up to 429. Maybe someday you’ll catch up with me.