Friendly Friendship Tips

 Research shows that "surprisingly few adults" report having close, personal friends, with whom they could feel safe in discussing almost anything and whom they felt they could count on for help in times of need.  Only 20% of the men and 53% of the ladies in a national survey reported having such a friend. There seems to be so little time anymore to hug, to talk, to listen, and/or to care.  So little time to enjoy and establish intimate, life-changing relationships outside of our own families.

 The report also noted that nearly everyone had such a friend as a child or as a teenager, but such relationships seem harder to begin, or maintain, in the adult years.  Likewise, those surveyed shared a desire for deep personal and honest friendship, yet they knew many of their business associates and neighbors whom they call friends, would quickly drop them under many circumstances.

 In fact, someone once wrote in response to the command of Jesus to “love your neighbor:” "It's hard enough these days to love a wife, a husband, a kid, or a parent.  How can we possibly love the world--and particularly our neighbor in that world?"  The writer raises a good question.

 Nonetheless, Jesus commanded in Luke 16:9, “And I say, make friends for yourselves.”

 Genesis 2 notes the creation of man. God places Adam in the beautiful Garden of Eden. He has scenery beyond compare. Animals of every type and they're all tame. He has ample food and provision. YET SOMETHING IS MISSING! Thus, verse 18 notes: “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

 The reason behind this awesome need is God created us to be social creatures.  Our need for others is deeply rooted in the way God designed the human race.  Remember with me Genesis, Chapter 1. Seven times here, God looked at what He had made and said, “It is good.”  From the light to the land to the fish of the sea - each time He made something, He expressed pleasure over His creation. But in Chapter 2, God saw something that was not good. He looked at Adam sitting all by himself and again said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

 But was Adam alone? He had nature. He had a peaceful relationship with all the animals. He even had a special and unique relationship with God. They walked and talked together. Yet, all of this was not enough. Something was still missing.  Adam was still alone. 

 Notice now Genesis 2:21-22, “So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”

 When God went searching for a remedy to Adam's loneliness, out of all of the options open and remedies available, HE GAVE ADAM ANOTHER HUMAN BEING; He gave Adam Eve.  Only someone made of the same "stuff" as Adam would be capable of meeting this real need of intimacy.  HAD EVE NOT BEEN TAKEN FROM ADAM'S RIB, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE ADAM’S HEART!

The point is, we were all created with a need that only friendship and companionship with another person can fill.

 On a TV program in Los Angeles, which had to do with the most annoying noises, a commentator asked a number of people what noise bothered them more than any other.  One man, apparently weary of traffic jams, said, "Freeway noise, that's undoubtedly the worst.  At 5:00 it's the most unbearable."  A woman who lives next to L.A. International Airport answered, "Those jets taking off and landing. I don't think I can stand them any longer."  It was a young man, though, who gave the answer that intrigued me the most.  Notice his words.  "Loneliness is the most terrible noise in my life.  Yeah," he said, "being alone.  Quietness.  I can't take it."