1 & 2 Samuel

Timeless Truth = Friends don’t let those they love fail - they fight for each other

This week the stories within this book have challenged me to realize how vital the relationships I have with my brothers are. I see my desperate need for a shield-bearer… for a Jonathan in my life… for a Joab to punch me in the face with the truth when I am confused and not living as God desires. This week this truth has especially become real to me as one of the guys here in the school has been praying with me every morning before breakfast over some things I have been wrestling with in my life for a long time. He offered to pray with me every morning this last weekend and we have both woke up @ 6:30 to pray together. Yeah… I have been utterly humbled by this selfless act my friend offered… humbled by his love and sacrifice and each morning it blows me away how faithful he has been to fight with me this battle. As I see the men in this book I cannot help but realize how absolutely crucial brothers and friends are… and it challenges me to make sacrifices in my life for the sake of those whom I say that I love. The last few years have challenged my heart... desiring to genuinely LOVE those I claim to care for. I have had opportunities to speak hard truths into those I love and to just be there for them when they needed someone. I have tried to make myself available and have been so blessed in giving and receiving the love of my friends… holding them accountable that they would be who they desire to be… that I would be the man I desire to be.

This week I have been so thoroughly blessed by my friend praying with me… and honestly I want to say that I should have something bigger than this but this week it has just been good to let myself receive this love from my brother. In allowing myself to accept his encouragement I have seen so much how I long to bless others… I have been so regenerated whereas last week I was just growing tired and frustrated. I long to give this for others… even this week I have been trying to get in touch with some of my good friends to bear their burdens together. I want to get in the middle of the mess of my friends that they might walk in truth and the freedom Christ has given them. I want to be teachable, available, accountable, and responsible to my friends… that they would know the blessing of carrying me… and yeah, I want to carry my brothers. No man is an island… we need each other… desperately need each other… that we might be who we long to be. I am so very thankful that I am not alone... and I so desperately long to make sure others know that they aren't... now to live like it!