With all the opportunities to connect, there’s no way you can’t find a friend. Social networks have made it easy to do so.
Star Pulse news dubs her has the person who has the most “friends”. She has over 60M friends.
But while you and I can make lots of online connections, the depth and authenticity of these relationships will definitely have its misgivings.
We are all in search for authentic relationships. Some of us have been burned by inauthentic ones and desire genuine friendships.
The good news is that it is absolutely possible.
King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 4 gives us his perspective on friendships. He was a man who enjoyed wealth, pleasure and wisdom. And at the end of his life, he calls the pursuit of these ultimately is meaningless.
He adds friendlessness in the list.
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
My thoughts…
1. Authentic friendships seek to contribute and not merely consume.
While there are definitely benefits to having friends and people to journey life with, trying to get something from the friendship and not add value to the other ultimately gets draining.
2. Authentic friendships help without expecting anything in return.
Living in a consumer society has trained us to ask WIIFM (what’s in it for me?). Authentic friendships seek to help without expecting anything in return.
3. Authentic friendships fan the flame of faith.
It’s hard enough to journey through life because the challenges it brings and doubly difficult to do it alone. There is a devil out there wanting to pull every Christ follower down. Do you have people who speak into your life and ask you the hard questions?
4. Authentic friendships protect even if it means sacrificing personal convenience.
“Why don’t people ask us about our hope? The answer is probably that we look as if we hope in the same things they do. Our lives don’t look like they are on the Calvary road, stripped down for sacrificial love, serving others with the sweet assurance that we don’t need to be rewarded in this life.” (John Piper)