Real Friends
August 21, 2009 // By: Bob Hamp // 7 Comments
Yesterday I spent time with an old friend. Not just a guy I used to know; a real friend. Someone that, when we met, we saw each other as partners in something bigger than ourselves. When we met, we saw that our hearts were made out of the same stuff, and we knew that we had the same Father. When he spoke I knew that he saw the things I saw. And I knew that when I spoke, he knew the same about me.
We had a short time together after five years of separation, and it was like we had seen each other only yesterday. No awkward “catch up” period. We laughed and tried to remember our adventures. Neither was offended at what we couldn’t remember. What we did remember brought us real joy.
We looked each other in the eyes. We told each other of the genuine-ness of the love we have for one another. As we drove away from the coffee shop, he said something important to me. We had talked about plans, and ideas, and strategies. We have big plans. But this one thing he said echoed in my mind the rest of my day and again this morning. Here is what he said.
“Bob”, he began, “the more I live, the more I am convinced that the Kingdom of God is made up of friendships. A lot of people have plans and strategies, but God moves in friendships.” So simple, but it keeps repeating in my mind, and stirring in my soul. I love plans, and God knows I love strategies. But in friendships we discover the kind of relationship which was the strategy of Jesus Himself. ”I have called you friends” He said to His disciples near the end.
God…calls us…friends. Not employees, not servants and not soldiers. He looks us in the eyes. He declares the genuine-ness of His love for us. And He loves to have coffee with us. He know our hearts are made of the same stuff.
Here is what I heard. Communicating the message of God’s friendship through marketing, speeches, and techniques will fall short of the whole message.
Make friends. In a personal environment, watch for those people that God made similar to you. Look them in the eyes. See who they see. Share. You just may find the Kingdom of God in your living room.
7 Comments
Bob,
This resonates deeply within me, not because I’m a relational guy, but because I’ve called many people “friends” when really they were little more than common acquaintances.
Since being at Gateway, I’ve develop not only more friends, but true, deep, quality friends. One of those friends I value and deeply appreciate is you.
Thank you, friend, for sharing life so transparently.
Your friend,
Anthony
You are speaking my language!!!
What a great word he shared with you. Thanks for sharing with all of us!!
This post brought tears to my eyes Bob. Maybe it is because I have recently had people I thought were friends leave my life now that I am Christian. While some may say they weren’t true friends because of that, the empty space still feels … empty. But what a friend I have in Jesus! I may be alone but I am never lonely in His love for me.
Blessings!
Bob, I love this – it’s so true. Something I really need to work on! Connectedness is not in my top 5
. Wish it were~
Thanks for the awesome blog and thanks for being my friend!
Hi Bob,
What a blessing to read this! Real friends are an amazing gift from God. Thanks for sharing your heart.
God Bless!
Love it! It’s all about relationships every time!
God used this deep theological revelation(DTR) to knock something loose inside me; I have not been, in far too many instances, a true friend. Example: I’ve met people I like being AROUND but I’m afraid to be WITH.