Making vs. Choosing Friends

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22

In the Faith and Friendship message yesterday there was some conversation around choosing friends. Often it’s just happenstance - a new kid in your class or a parent you connect with from your kid’s soccer team - that brings people into our lives who could be good friends. And yet there’s clearly some intentionality as well. It could be said that friends are made, not just chosen.

Paul encourages Timothy to keep an eye out for those who have good hearts, who would help him on the journey towards Jesus. But so many times you can’t tell a good heart from the outset. It takes a few risks, a coffee date or two, or a shared camping trip before you can really tell if someone has a good heart and is willing and able to help you on your journey (and to be someone you could encourage as well).

Reflect on the friends you’ve had over your lifetime. How did you ‘pick’ them? How did you ‘make’ them? When were your instincts good, and when did you miss a telltale sign of a red flag? What might you learn as you move forward into new friendships?