UMC20190626 Jesus only had 12 friends
UMC20190626 - Jesus only had 12 friends¶
This week I had the pleasure of spending time with an old friend of mine. We laughed, ate, played games and spoke in deep conversation; just as we used to when we were younger. It makes my heart warm spending time with people who matter deeply to me.
When I was younger, I instantly wanted to be friends with everybody that I met. I remember often fighting with my mother about wanting to go out all the time. I was never home on weekends, I was always sleeping over, always looking to go on an adventure. My mother wanted me to stay at home and just relax or spend time with the family and decompress. I, on the other hand, needed to be with people. This didn't last for a significant period of my adult life though as I soon began to realise that if you are friends with everyone, then you are friends with no one. This was a difficult step in my life as I began to think carefully about who I was spending my time with.
It is interesting that we live in a time where people are incredibly connected but terribly lonely. If we try to be friends with 1000 people, it is most likely that our interactions will never be deeper than surface level. We need deep human connection, it is what we were created for. It is our closest friends who make us laugh the hardest, who we share our deepest sorrows with and who help us when times are at their worst. This is not to say that we are not friends with the people in our communities or at work, but that close friendships are important. Jesus had 12 close friends, through these friendships he changed the world.
Who are you being vulnerable with? Who are you sharing life with? Who are you going deep with? It can’t be everyone…