I have been talking with a friend lately about his relationship with his girlfriend. He is pretty sure that she is “the one.” Even though he loves this woman and she confesses to love him, their relationship was on the verge of disintegrating.
He was getting really discouraged last week as he thought their relationship was over. He and I had prayed believing that Jesus was going to step into all the trouble and fix things only the way He can, but late last week, the relationship appeared to be over.
My friend called me and we talked, we prayed, we cried. In this conversation, I asked him if he still loved her. He answered yes. I asked him if he thought she was still “the one?” He answered yes. I asked him if he was willing to let her go. He answered no. I asked him if he was willing to fight for her? He answered yes. I asked him if he would fight to keep their relationship alive? He answered yes.
My friend and his girlfriend are so much better today, just days removed from the relationship being over. They are happy, they are moving forward. They trust each other on a deeper level than they ever once thought they could. Are wedding bells going to ring? I don’t know, but last week there wasn’t a chance of that happening, and because Jesus showed up , love is winning!
Jesus tells us in John 15:13, “This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.“
I don’t know about you, but putting my life on the line for a friend usually requires a fight. Maybe not a physical fight, maybe not a spiritual fight, but maybe an emotional fight needs to be fought so you will be able to risk your life for a friend.
Our world put so much value in “things.” We all understand why someone will risk personal harm (emotional, physical and/ or spiritual) for things. We understand why people put everything they have on the line to own the right house, drive the right car, wear the right clothes, have our children go to the right schools… but when it comes to putting everything on the line for a friend… well, we are quick to judge. Friends let us down. Friend stab us in the back. Friends hurt us. It’s good to have friends, but be smart and don’t invest too much. Isn’t that how most of us operate?
Jesus continues on in John 15:15, “I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.“
If Jesus calls us friend, and he tells us that the best way to love is to put your life on the line for your friends, then why are we hesitant to fight for our friends, let alone put our lives on the lines for them?
I have failed miserably when it comes to fighting for my friends. This is something I am correcting immediately. Jesus chose to fight and to give His life up for me. Am I willing to do the same for Him? Am I willing to do the same for my friends?
I am so proud of my friend for fighting for his girlfriend. He had a choice to fight or to let his relationship die. He had to choose to overcome insecurity. He had to overcome fear. He had to let down all his defenses and be willing to be utterly destroyed. He chose to love the very best way possible. He was willing to die emotionally for his (girl)friend.
Do you have that kind of character? Do you operate in that level of love? Are you willing to risk everything for a friend? Are you willing to risk everything for Jesus?
