“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our friends.” -1 John 3:16
Once upon a time, I was dating someone who didn’t deserve me. Funny, that’s how most of my stories start. Anyways, I was with this guy for a little over a year. We always had fun together, and he had a very large group of friends I enjoyed being around. It was mostly guys, but there was one girl they referred to as “mom.” I wanted so badly to be friends with “mom” because she seemed like just that—a mom. Kind and loving and caring.
She was dating someone at the time, and one night, the two of us were texting. She had been messaging her boyfriend, and they were talking through a breakup. Before I went to bed, I wanted to make sure “mom” was okay. We texted for a few hours, and that’s where our friendship really began. I sacrificed a good chunk of sleep that night to be sure she wouldn’t be crying herself to sleep, and to assure her that I cared about her emotional well being. Fast forward about four years, and I am the maid of honor at her wedding! I am so thankful for the relationship (that didn’t work out) which led me to her in the end.
Now, I am not saying what I did was so honorable, or that losing a little sleep was such a sacrifice for me in the long run, but how often have we seen a friend in need and put them on the back burner? How many times have we gotten a message and thought, “I’ll respond when I have more time,” and then forgotten all about it? I know I’m guilty of doing so. How many times have we lied about not being available to hang out, because something better came up or we just didn’t feel like it?
The way you treat your friends says a lot about your faith. Truly. If we believe Jesus is our friend, our confidant, our reliable and loyal companion, then why wouldn’t we act the same towards our own Earthly friends? If being a Christian requires us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, why don’t we treat our friends with the same respect and love Jesus gives to us? While nothing we do could ever compare to the sacrifice Christ made for us, we can do our best to show others we care in the smallest of ways. If your friend is struggling with their mental health, be sure to check in with them frequently. If they need help on an assignment, walk them through it. If they need advice, do your best to share from your heart. Treat your friends the way Christ treats us. Always there. Always loving. Always forgiving.
Today, reach out to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. How are they doing? Is there anything you can do for them? During your conversation, ask how you can be praying for them during this time of uncertainty and chaos.