For a reason, a season or a lifetime

We need each other.  We need  faithful friends. Friends who will be with us through thick and thin.  One who is willing to challenge us, to point out a different perspective, not just agree with us all the time.  A friend who is able to sift out the chaff from the wheat in our words.  A friend who forgives.  A friend who loves us enough to 'get in our face' when we need it.  A friend who is willing to say the hard things we might not want to hear but need to hear.  A friend who will cry with us, laugh with us, rejoice with us.  A friend who sharpens us in the truth.  

God created us to be in fellowship with each other.  He did not create us to be islands. We are meant to sharpen each other,  to edify each other, to spur each other on to a deeper faith. 

Do you have someone who sharpens you?  Are you in a relationship in which you sharpen another?  If not,  ask God to direct you to that type of friendship.  You will benefit from an iron sharpening type of friendship, and in turn someone will get great benefit from the edification that you can give.  If you do have a iron sharpens iron relationship, don't take it for granted, work to nurture it.

It is a true saying,  some friends are for a reason, some for a season, and some for a lifetime.   But the ultimate purpose for our Christian friendships-no matter the length of time- is to help each other grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

There is one friend, one lifetime friend, no, one eternal friend, John 15: 12-17, who is always there, always wanting to sharpen you, to spur you on to a deeper faith, and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Aren't we so blessed?  What a friend we have in Jesus!  And all He asks of us in return is that we do what he commands us and that we love one another.


So in your friendships, sharpen, challenge, edify, enjoy,  but above all , just love each other.  It's what we all need more of.





Author's note:
Thank you to those who have had a hand in sharpening me!  I treasure you.