In traditional Jewish culture, a beautiful part of the wedding ceremony is the Hora—a dance symbolizing honor and unity. I love watching the wedding party lift the bride and groom in chairs as they dance around the room, celebrating the couple’s new life together.
Every time I watch this dance, I’m reminded of the vital nature of friendship. The wedding party, those carrying the couple in the dance, are the ones who have actually carried them through life. Not physically, of course, but metaphorically. They’ve been there throughout the ups and downs of their relationship and are promising to do the same for the rest of their lives.
Just like in the Hora, carrying the couple throughout life will sometimes feel both heavy and hard. But that’s what community does. That’s what friends are for.
Jesus proves the importance of friendship by how He established the Church. First, Matthew 4:18 tells us He called His disciples together. Later, He called three of the twelve disciples to be His closest friends. He chose seventy to be leaders within the Church. Then, He called churches of thousands to live in unity and fulfill His Great Commission.
Why did Jesus draw people into community then, and why does He do the same today? Because He knows we need each other. He knows we’re better together.
There are three ways we’re called to serve our friends. First, we’re called to affirm one another’s callings. I believe this is one reason Jesus called Peter and Andrew together. He knew the journey would get tough. He knew they’d face seasons of doubt, so He wanted them to be witnesses for each other, constantly reminding each other of when Jesus called them.
God has called us to do the same for our friends. When doubt threatens their faith, we must remind them of the truth—that Almighty God has chosen them.
Friends are also called to assist one another in change—to help each other overcome the ignorance, immaturity and iniquities that threaten us from walking out God’s purposes. In Colossians 3:16, Paul calls this admonishing, which means “to warn or reprimand firmly.” Genuine friends do the hard work of admonishing each other in love, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Last, friends are called to aid one another’s completion. In Colossians 1:28, Paul gives us the end-goal of this admonishing: maturity. He says, “He (Christ) is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”
The start of a new year is a perfect time to take inventory of how well you’re serving your circle. Are you affirming God’s call on their life? Helping them mature? Sticking with them? This kind of friendship may not always feel easy, but it’ll always accomplish more (Not to mention, it’ll be a lot more fun!). As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together!”
