Friends
I wonder if you know who the following are:
Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler,
Ross.
The answer
is “Friends”. For those who remember it, it was an American sitcom based on 6
friends living in New York. And it was first launched on this day 17 years ago,
September 22nd 2004!
When its
producers first pitched the concept to network NBC, they said “It's about … a
time in your life when everything's possible. And it's about friendship because
when you're single and in the city, your friends are your family”[1]
“Your
friends are your family”. Perhaps that’s why the series was so popular. In a
lonely world, we all long to belong. And in a superficial world where we have
hundreds of facebook friends, but sometimes very few real close friends, we
crave lasting unconditional friendship from someone who says “I’ll be there for
you”.
But I guess
that as well as being popular, with its beautiful and funny cast, the series
probably made its viewers feel like they could never quite find friends like
that.
The Bible
has a lot to say about friendship.
· Abraham was called God’s friend
(James 2:23).
· Exodus says that Moses would speak
with God as one does with a friend (Ex 33:11).
· The Bible warns us of making a
friendship with the world around us and so becoming enemies of God (James 4:4).
· But above all, Jesus Christ is the
ultimate friend. He stuck with his disciples through thick and thin, lovingly
challenging them when they got it wrong, and demonstrating true love by giving
up his life for his friends. (John 15:13).
As we
conclude, I wonder if there’s someone you need to reach out to today. An old
friend, or perhaps a new one. True friendship sticks with friends no matter
what they are going through. I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear from you, and no
doubt they will be a blessing to you too.
And consider
Jesus Christ. He still offers his friendship today, the greatest friendship and
he’s only a prayer away.