Dear SCC & Friends,
He who walks with wise men will be wise…
~Proverbs 13:20
Reflection #106
Is there any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire? ~C.S. Lewis~ By God’s grace and goodness many of us have been blessed with good friends who are also wise. A person with wisdom is not necessarily a genius but knows how to apply knowledge with understanding. Friendships come in a variety of packages. Some of my friends have been very educated, while others didn’t finish high school, or even grade school. Intelligence and education are not to be confused with wisdom and common sense. A friend loves at all times… ~Prov. 17:17 We shall never have friends if we expect them to be without fault. ~Thomas Fuller~ C.S. Lewis reflected, Friends face in the same direction, towards a common goal, above all towards a common Lord. The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are. A true friend will tell us the truth, even when we don’t want to hear it. Like a surgeon, friends cut you in order to heal you. ~Tim Keller~ Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. ~Prov. 27:6
It’s much harder to be a friend than to presume we deserve friends. Friendship can’t be demanded, manipulated or forced; otherwise, it will only masquerade as feigned sincerity. Friendship is more than social affinities or common interests… more than the old refrain, “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” Genuine friendship is about love, respect and sacrifice, and like everything of worth it comes with a price. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. ~Jn. 15:13 Our circumstances are never to define us, but they clearly affect us. He is our friend who pushes us nearer to God. ~Abraham Kuyper~ We need each other… He’s designed us for friendship. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered. ~Prov. 28:26 We are on a pilgrimage together to bear lasting fruit… Thank you Lord! Keep up the good work!
Friends in Christ,
Kevin