While discussing this situation with another close friend of mine, yes the physically distant by miles away friend, I found myself recalling the story of Johnathan and David. When I had first heard the story, it was during one of the series of my youth group at my church I usually attend. The topic referred to true friendship and it recalled the story. Johnathan was the son of Saul, the current ruler of Jerusalem. Now Saul, knowing that his throne was threatened by David, disliked him for this fact. However, Johnathan didn't care as he was David's best friend and practically, in the Christian sense, his faithful brother. Johnathan would be ready to lay down his life had the circumstances ever shown that such an act would be required to save David's life. David and Johnathan were so close they'd cry, they'd embrace, and they truly acted like they understood each other's thoughts and intentions. How I never thought such a friendship could be possible! I longed for one such as this, and how convenient the timing was indeed.
I had heard this story around the time of my best friend and I actually starting to get closer as buds. We hadn't quite reached that point of friendship where we considered each other brothers, but we so close that not even the toughest metal blade could sever our bond, or so I thought. With getting closer with your God-given friends, there also comes several tests that need to be passed collectively and individually. One hit us right after the other every single day. We argued, we got over it. We argued again, we got over it again. It was a constant process until we got to the point where we stopped arguing and finally settled at that moment of peace and enjoyment. We were no longer immature teenagers trying to win over our own opinion, we were best buds for life aiming to live an awesome life with us watching out for each other every step of the way.
When applied to the story, I felt like I was Johnathan. The one friend who constantly laid his life on the line to ensure the protection of David, who showed compassion and loyalty throughout all situations, and who often listened to David's plights and problems in his life. I felt my best bud was David. The one friend who relied on God to help him through his path in life as well as being grateful for the best friend he had. The one friend who always had something else on his mind in times of sadness or depression, but always sought out someone to sit down and talk with. The one friend who showed courage and strength as the friendship grew for a benefactor of God's real intentions of true fellowship.
How this applies to today is this: I made a big claim and basically called my bud out for not caring and not listening to my words when he had just done an act of kindness and generosity toward me not too long beforehand. If he never cared, he would've never committed that good deed he showed to me. If he never cared, he wouldn't take time out of his night every Wednesday after church to make sure I was fine and if I needed to talk about anything that was bothering me in my life. If he never cared, he wouldn't have showed me the light of Jesus and saved my life from a life worse than death. If he never cared, he wouldn't be there for me and embrace me when I'm breaking down and losing control. I probably hurt him more than I thought I did.
I realized the big mistake I made. I feel guilty about it, and I know he will forgive me. I know God will forgive me. But it's the hardest thing to forgive myself. He's my best friend for life, and that person hardly comes around in many people's lifetimes. I aspire our friendship to become that of Johnathan and David's friendship. Surely they had their little arguments as well, but they got over them and lived a life with a great friendship until the kingdom was overrun and Johnathan was slain along with his father. How tragic! This I know, that God gave me my best friend for life for a reason. I would believe that reason to be to fulfill that feeling of loneliness and to get me closer to Him. So far, it's turned out to be working pretty well besides the supposed "lifelong bond" starting to wear down.
All I can do is pray and trust God helps us make the right decisions to living a life of a better friendship. A word of thanks though to his good deed, and to my distant friend as well. Had I no one to go to about this situation, I'd be in one horrible slump. If physical distance weren't a boundary I would gladly lay my life down for him as well because of how he has been there for me when my best bud couldn't. I owe my life to God for giving me these two awesome friends who have strongly influenced my life, and I hope he continues to keep them throughout my life.
Lesson for today: An argument with your best friend may feel like one of the worst feelings in the world, but trust in God and surely enough it will all be better and stronger if you just trust in Him.
Thank you.
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