WEEK THREE: TO BE LOVED

What makes a “best friend” a best friend? Over the years, I have heard many people say things like, “well she’s my best friend” or “he’s my best friend.” As I am writing this, I began to think… what would make me call someone my “best” friend? What are the characteristics of an individual that would put them in a place where I would consider them more than just a friend, but instead a best friend?

I think the obvious first characteristic would be a great love or affection toward me. They care deeply for me and about me. They would want the best for me and they would look out to see that those things happen as much as they are able.

The second characteristic that comes to mind is trust. Can I trust them? I know that when they tell me something, they mean it… and they will come through on their promises.  I also know that when I tell them something, I can trust that they will not share it if it is not to be shared. There is a confidence in their support of me and an understanding that they have my best interest at heart.

Another characteristic may be that they are willing to sacrifice their own interests at times to help me (even at the expense of what they really want). They are selfless, putting others ahead of themselves.

Now I know that, at surface level, this looks and sounds very selfish because it is all about what I want… but that isn’t the point. The point is that we have a friend like this. We have a friend that is completely sold out to our best interests. We have a friend that is selfless, trustworthy, sacrificial, generous, and loving. That friend is Jesus himself. He is the greatest example of what friendship and love should look like. And in John 15:12 he tells us, “love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NIV) This is what real community looks like, and once we experience this love and friendship from God, it should lead us to love and show friendship toward others just like it.