Recently, as I was praying through a long list of things I am grateful for, I realized that
my friends definitely need to be on that list. So, I started calling them out by name. “I am
grateful for him, and for her and for that family and for their kids and so it went.”
As I worked through the list, I was amazed at how we all became such dear and
wonderful friends.
And then I came across this quote from C.S. Lewis. It comes from his book, The Four
Loves. In it, he says, “In friendship…we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few
years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses,
the choice of one university instead of another…the accident of a topic being raised at a
first meeting—any of these chances might have kept us apart.
But for a Christian, there are strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of
ceremonies has been at work. Christ who said to the disciples, ‘Ye have not chosen me,
but I have chosen you,’ can truly say to every group of Christian friends, ‘You have not
chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another.’
The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one
another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of
others.”
Wow! The God of the universe has so many diverse and “big” responsibilities, it’s
amazing to think that He is so intimately acquainted with our relationships. He knows
what we need: someone to love, someone to help, someone to help us, someone to
cheer on, someone to challenge, someone to pray for, someone to pray for us. And the
list goes on.
The Master of friendships is at work.
So, this week, when you text a buddy and schedule time for coffee, remember that the
Lord chose him or her for you. When you stop a friend at church and ask for some
prayer, call to mind the wonderful fact that they are ordained as one of your prayer
partners.
And, if you have the privilege of a meal with your best friend, take a minute to consider
how special it is that God put them in your life. They are not there by chance. It is all
part of His plan. He has chosen us for one another.
Wow. The Master of friendships has done an amazing work. Thank Him!