our shared values
Matthew 11:19 – Jesus is described as a “friend“ of tax collectors and sinners. Good thing for us!
Luke 5:20 – The term “friend” is how he refers to the crippled man, just before declaring that his sins were forgiven.
John 15:12-15 - Jesus is sharing with his disciples during their last meal together, and he says to them….
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Relationship because of God, and through him, is what uniquely binds us together. From the exciting stage of getting to know each other at the first handshake; through the nitty gritty of learning to allow God to shape and form us through our deepening relationships wth him and with each other.
We’ve learned this doesn’t “just happen”. It occurs through consistancy, invitations being extended and recieved. It happens through learning to embrace the diversity with which God has created each one of us and recognizing each others gifts, talents and uniquness in which we’ve all been created.
Who we are is about relationship. Relationship with God first and then with each other. Of course it can’t stop there. We continue to expand our relationships with those God has called us to; those around us at work, in the malls, our neighbourhoods and on our streets who don’t yet know God.
Friendship. It’s what we long for more than anything – To know and be known. Friendship with God and friendship with each other.