The Value of Friendship

Lately I have come to realize more and more the eternal value of friendship. In looking at the things we often value in this life, I am coming to understand that the things we value can often be temporal and eventually fade away in this lifetime. Our friendships are gifts that we can enjoy, value and treasure in this life and in the span of eternity of heaven. Our friendships will last far beyond any possession or thing. Long after those things become dust, our friendships will go on in heaven.

In thinking about this, I posed some questions to myself that I would like to present to you too. "Am investing enough time in my friendships?" and "How well do I value my friends?" I feel that the time we spend with others is undervalued. It is often de-emphasized. It is, in my humble opinion, vastly important. I feel it is a pre-cursor to eternity. In some ways, a "dress rehearsal" for heaven. Think about it. When we die, we can't take things with us, but in heaven, we will be spending eternity with one another. Where we are now is a glimpse of what heaven can be like. Our friendships are eternal.

Christ valued friendships. He spent over three years of His life investing in 12 men, eating with them, enjoying life with them and investing His heart and love into them. He understood that the things that He valued highest were the friendships and the people He came to earth for. He did not come to earth for new cars, possessions, money, etc. It was people.

As a challenge, I would like to ask you to look at your friends differently today. What is it you value about them? Invest more intensely into their lives. Love them more deeply. Laugh harder. Cry with them when they hurt. Live life to the fullest with them.

Remember, these are friendships that will last for eternity. Why not make them a priority.