I Have a Lot of Friends.
- notpopular110
- Jul 26, 2017
- 3 min read
I have a lot of friends. Not only do I consider my parents and siblings friends but I have friends from middle and high school, friends from college, church, work, my roommate, camp, and numerous other places. Most of my friends would say I’m outgoing, ridiculously crazy about Jesus, and a goody two-shoes (a title I’m proud to possess). I’m perfectly fine with all of these descriptions. But I’m gonna tell ya something, despite having all these friends and all these titles there are times when I feel desperately alone; times when I don’t have anyone to talk to, spend time with, or encourage me.
Some people may say I alienate myself from my friends, but I decided this past year that if I was not comfortable with something, if I did not 100% want to do something, and if I could not fully enjoy myself I would not participate in that activity. I have a lot of convictions and I will not stray from them for anyone or anything. I guess I had this idea, that when I went to college, the 2nd largest in America, I would find like-minded friends. They would believe the same things as me, do the same things as me, and strive for the same things as me. Expectations kill reality. I have found amazing friends at college, and I have amazing friends at home as well. But like I said my convictions based off of my beliefs make me cautious about the activities I participate in. I’m very rarely influenced by others when it comes to my actions, my hobbies, my Friday night activities; I am definitely not a “typical” college kid.
I’ve wondered, “Why?” Why is it that I try my hardest to follow my beliefs, I try my hardest to listen to God, I try my hardest to love the Lord with all my heart but I am still lonely. Why is it that the only friends to comfort me are 800 miles away? Why is it that when I find like-minded friends our paths quickly cross? Why is it that I’m stuck crying on my bed watching Netflix and eating ice cream on a Saturday night?
I’ll tell you why. John 10:10a “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The devil likes to get in my head and tell me that I am worthless, no one loves me, and no one wants to spend time with me. He steals my joys, kills my hopes, and destroys my confidence. He makes me believe that the only solution is to feel miserable. But that’s not true. Christ has warned us about this in 1 Peter 5:8. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” It’s easy to be miserable when you feel like things aren’t going your way, but your life is turning out the way God has planned. He knows your needs; he knows how much you can handle. He’s right beside you holding out his hand and asking you to put your trust in him; not in things of this world, like, friends, social media followers, or party invites. Martin Luther said it best, “It happens for the righteous that [the Lord] allows them to be attacked, to be molested in various ways, and to be troubled by many evils, so that they be conformed to their King.” Following Christ is hard, doing what you feel honors God best is hard, putting your trust in the Lord is hard. But it’s necessary because God is always with you; he’s encouraging you, supporting you, and rooting for you every single day.
The second half of John 10:10 is very important, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Christ came, took on flesh, and died for us. He defeated the devil that we may no longer be sucked into his lies, but that we may experience God's love in full. So that when we die, we will be surrounded by all fellow believers in Christ. God has not forgotten about you. He has not left you. You are not alone.
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.