I was honored one day last week to get to have lunch with a woman that I have come to know and love. We had quite an interesting conversation while we were dining. I am not sure how it came up but we were talking about church, and how it is supposed to be a "friendly" place....I piped up with "what friendly like the guy at Wal-Mart" I guess because that is the thought that comes to mind for me when I hear the word friendly.
I have to say a day has not gone by since that lunch when I haven't thought about the conversation. I started to do some reading about what it means to be friendly, friends, friendship all of those things. You would be amazed how much is out there about the topic. My favorite has to be how the encyclopedia Britannica defines the word friendship...."To prevent MUTUAL harm" Wikipedia states "Friendship is a term used to denote a co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings-a relationship involving MUTUAL knowledge, esteem, affection, loyalty and respect." I find interesting that both of these sources include the word mutual. I have to be honest for a long time in my life (up until probably a little over a year ago)I seemed to divide my friends into two catergories...those that were there for me when I needed them, and those who only wanted me around when they needed me. I learned through a dear dear friend of mine over this past year that true friendship is MUTUAL....it has to be two sided to exisist, or feelings get hurt.
I also looked up the word friendly and it has many different meanings...Personally the one I liked the best for the church enviroment is the one that says, "cheerful and comforting" If anything the church needs to be comforting.
I like to think of all three of these words as more of a verb (an action word). To ACT as a friend. Jesus tells us that there is no greater love then to lay down ones own life for his friends. That's some action isn't it? I know after spending the last week reading about friendship I take my role as people's friend a whole lot more serious then I once did. I challenge anyone who has taken the time to read this to really evaluate those relationship where you use the word friend. Are your relationships two sided as they should be? If they aren't are you willing to make them that way? Are you willing to SHOW those people you call friend what it means?
I know we have heard this quote millions of times but it bears repeating....
"Don't walk in front of me I may not follow"
"Don't walk behind me I may not lead"
"Walk beside me and be my friend"
I have to say a day has not gone by since that lunch when I haven't thought about the conversation. I started to do some reading about what it means to be friendly, friends, friendship all of those things. You would be amazed how much is out there about the topic. My favorite has to be how the encyclopedia Britannica defines the word friendship...."To prevent MUTUAL harm" Wikipedia states "Friendship is a term used to denote a co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings-a relationship involving MUTUAL knowledge, esteem, affection, loyalty and respect." I find interesting that both of these sources include the word mutual. I have to be honest for a long time in my life (up until probably a little over a year ago)I seemed to divide my friends into two catergories...those that were there for me when I needed them, and those who only wanted me around when they needed me. I learned through a dear dear friend of mine over this past year that true friendship is MUTUAL....it has to be two sided to exisist, or feelings get hurt.
I also looked up the word friendly and it has many different meanings...Personally the one I liked the best for the church enviroment is the one that says, "cheerful and comforting" If anything the church needs to be comforting.
I like to think of all three of these words as more of a verb (an action word). To ACT as a friend. Jesus tells us that there is no greater love then to lay down ones own life for his friends. That's some action isn't it? I know after spending the last week reading about friendship I take my role as people's friend a whole lot more serious then I once did. I challenge anyone who has taken the time to read this to really evaluate those relationship where you use the word friend. Are your relationships two sided as they should be? If they aren't are you willing to make them that way? Are you willing to SHOW those people you call friend what it means?
I know we have heard this quote millions of times but it bears repeating....
"Don't walk in front of me I may not follow"
"Don't walk behind me I may not lead"
"Walk beside me and be my friend"
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