Pastor Bill Hayden
If someone asked you, “Who is your best friend?” who would it be? It shouldn’t take a long time to come up with their name. Friends are held close to the heart and not in a file cabinet labeled for extreme emergency only. A friend is someone you share your life experiences with (the good, the bad, the ugly and the indifferent) because you trust them with your life and they, in the same way, trust you.
Friendships are established over time because most people are not immediately comfortable in being transparent. There are many good reasons to be cautious when it comes to sharing one’s circumstances with others. We learn early on in life to be less trusting when we experience being hurt and let down. It can be devastating when we are betrayed by someone we trusted.
Real friends are not only there when it’s convenient but also in times of trouble or pain. They know when you’re in need of comfort from a friend. Despite the challenges of time and inconvenience they go the distance to be there for you and they don’t expect anything in return. Even if you haven’t spoken to, or seen each other for a while, true friendship never dies. As the saying goes: “A friend in need, is a friend indeed!” True friends simply know, they are there for each other when needed.
Lifelong friendships require you to share your valuable time and talents for the love of a person or persons, which is rare and precious in these times. When you find a friend, whether it be your spouse, or others, it is a gift to be treasured and cherished. These types of bonds are difficult to forge but when you find a lifelong friend the friendships are worth investing in. You shouldn’t end them without a good reason to do so.
So, who’s my best friend…. you ask? Other than my high school sweetheart wife, it has been Jesus Christ ever since I discovered His love, acceptance and forgiveness. He loved me when I didn’t love myself. He still accepts my brokenness when others reject me and He forgives me when others refuse to. John 15:13 NIV Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Celebrate with us at the Villages Community Chapel in Cribari Auditorium, every Sunday at 10 a.m. to be encouraged over the Word of Life, enjoy a cup of coffee and cookies with friends. The chapel is a place for needs to be met, faith to be affirmed and new friends to embrace. You can view our worship services on YouTube at Villages Community Chapel San Jose, CA.