Best of Friends by Linden Malki

"Friends" are one of the reminders that God created us for relationships. Everything--even microscopic creatures of all kinds reproduce and share their DNA in some way. Most plants require another plant to pollinate, and even ones that self-pollinate reproduce. Animals of all kinds reproduce with some sort of connection with another creature of the same or related species, most of which are families in some sense. The most complex relationships are those of the most complex creation--us. Where we usually see God at work is that family relationships are not merely biological, but have a major emotional connection as well; ideally good; but some are dysfuntional, often ones with no relationship or unhealthy relationships with God. 

But this is not the only kind of relationship we have, and it is one we don't realize the power and importance involved.   We not only have families, but we have friends; people with whom we have no biological relationship. Some of  the earliest Biblical mentions of God's relationship with special people were those like Noah, Abraham and Jacob, that God used to develop His relationship with humanity.  Often our closest friends are those with whom we share faith and a relationship with God. We can work together on God's tasks, and we can help each other when bad things happen, even to good people.  These truly are "brothers and sisters" in God's kingdom.

The other side of this coin is that, being human, we may fail our friends, and sometimes this is serious enough to cause not only pain in what used to be a close friendship, but may spread to others who find themselves being dragged into a mess not of their making. Some of the most painful situations involve dishonesty, slander, injury, betrayal, jealousy, ambition, anger, sabotage--we all have our own list.  What is really upsetting and sad is when a church is damaged by serious sin, from the inside, outside, or both. Sometimes we can see it coming, and sometimes not. Sometimes we can help calm the storm; I once had two neighbors who were having affairs with each others' siblings, and I was one of the few people who was on minimal speaking terms with both the injured parties--and was able to squelch a nasty, exaggerated rumor. Once in awhile we get to do something good in this sort of situation: as Jesus said, Blessed are the Peacemakers!