Luke 6:35-36 (ESV)
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting
nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the
Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even
as your Father is merciful.
Too often people complain or tweet about not having friends
or community in their life —if only they knew that the solution lies within
them! Just as Jesus initiated a relationship between Himself and humanity,
sometimes we must be the instigators and initiators of friendships so that we
can enjoy the fullness of community that God intends for us. Why not create
quality community for yourself by being a friend first!
Jesus didn’t wait for us to approach Him; He made the first
move. Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ
to die for us while we were still sinners.” We did not ask for Jesus, nor did
we do anything to deserve Jesus, but yet He still came to us.
Rather than wait for others to acknowledge us, look in our direction,
or invite us to sit with them, as Christians we should imitate Jesus and go
first in friendships. Make the first move: make eye contact, be the first to
smile, have a good attitude, and introduce yourself! While your friendliness
won’t always be reciprocated, most of the time it will be received and returned
in your direction. The more you do this, the more confident we will become and
the more we will recognize community happening in and around our life.
Go today and extend your friendship to a stranger, or to
someone you have known for years (but have never been friends with).
Dear Lord, help us to be a friend today. Give us the
courage to make the first move like You taught us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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