My Friend

I have a job where I walk around a work environment and check in with employees to see how they are doing. It is my job to be friendly, but it is also my joy and honor. There is a man that I see regularly who always seems upbeat and friendly. We ask about each other’s families. As we bring the conversation to a close, he says, “Good to see you, my friend.”
His parting words always stay with me. We have a cordial working relationship, but he calls me his friend! I think it may be somewhat cultural, and I also think it is genuine. What I do know, I feel accepted and invited into his circle by him calling me his friend. I like that.
I want to view more of the people in my life as “my friend.” It’s giving them the benefit of the doubt. It communicates that they are important to me, and I wish them well.

It’s hard to believe, but Jesus actually refers to us as His friends! “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15. Jesus invites us into His inner circle. He relates to us in a new way.
Reaching back a few years in contemporary Gospel music, Israel Houghton expressed it well:
Who am I that You are mindful of me;
That You hear me when I call?
Is it true that You are thinking of me,
How You love me, it's amazing!
I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
He calls me friend!

As we follow His example, we can relate to people in a new, deeper way. We can strive to know one another better. We can ask honest questions about their wellbeing and what is currently on their mind. When someone does share what is on their mind, a good, simple follow up question is, “Tell me more about that,” and then really listen.
Assuming the role and responsibility of being a friend does not come lightly. The Bible speaks highly of friendship. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24. When we call someone “friend” we communicate a commitment to care and support them.
Does that sound appealing to you to think that someone extends this care and support to you? It does to me! The ultimate example is Christ, and He spreads it around! And I sure feel a lot better when that guy at work says. “Good to see you, my friend!”