#31 Family and Friendship. Thoughts from the Back Deck...


Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

As many of you know, I have not always been a pastor in my adult life. I didn't begin that journey until my mid-thirties. 

In those earlier years, it seemed friendships came easy. I had a lot. of friends. 
As a pastor, it seems friendships are fewer. The title of pastor in the mind can cause a wall. "What if I slip up and swear." "Does he judge me, what I say, what I do?" "I don't know if I can be myself and joke around like I do with my other friends." I know this because I thought the same kind of thoughts before I was a pastor. I get it!!

Don't get me wrong, people in the churches I have been blessed to serve, I have always had a few great friends but many many many more of them I feel like are my family instead of friends. There is a difference between friendship and family.

Family: we might try to pick and choose but for better or worse, family is family. There is a deeper connection and a deeper commitment.

Friendship, that is a great treasure to embrace but the reality is, not everyone is going to like me! Not everyone is going to be my friend. I have experienced friendships that come and sometimes go. There can be an end to a friendship. Sometimes friendships can change into toxic relationships and need to end. Have you experienced these truths?

I have been blessed with some great friendships. But God has always surrounded me with a lot of family. Some of that family, "blood" but most family God has brought into my life...not blood but just as much, family! 

Blood or not blood. I thank you for being part of my family. I thank God for being my family.

Jesus in this verse talks about a "greater love". Jesus talks about "laying life down for friends". 

Today, we talk a lot about Jesus being our friend. 

My reminder to you... we are more than that. 
~You are FAMILY. 
~We are FAMILY.
~Adopted by our Father
~We are sons and daughters of The Father
~Connected together through the waters of baptism and Jesus' baptism.
~Connected together through Jesus' death out of his love for us.
~Connected together through Jesus' resurrection and one day, our resurrection to new life.

No greater love than that. 
Jesus...friend 
Jesus...our family
Jesus...our redeemer and Lord.

Peace out,
Andy

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