Who is my Best Friend?

Who is my Best Friend?

This is not a trick question or rhetorical acknowledgment of something to be pondered with a surprising answer.  We all know that when anyone finds themselves in a quandary that cannot be revealed the only one we possibly would want to know about must be one who will stand by us, advise and protect our integrity to the end.

Choosing a person whom we can trust with the most knowledge of our seemingly dilemma can become difficult to find unless they have proven their worthiness towards us.  There may be times when one who is trustworthy could fail in the moment of intense need and the best sign of trust ends up as the worst.  

When analyzing this particular objective our thoughts can go back to Jesus, after he was arrested.  All but John avoided his presence.  Peter, the closest apostle who would ultimately become the leader to hold the rest together, denied even knowing him.  Not once but three times.  Judas, one who also was part of the group, accused his presence to the ones who arrested and had him crucified by his own rejection and disbelief.

If any of these scenarios stand as a warning when we look to find one who will become not just a casual friend, but the very one to whom we will place our secrets with, especially when our reputation, safety, and the very essence of us as well will remain intact.  Judas of course hung himself, but Peter cried when the cock crowed and his promise to remain faithful suddenly faced him and he became remorseful, especially after Jesus was nailed to the cross and died.

There is a deep understanding that may confront any one of us when making a choice of who will become our closest friend and confidant.  It isn’t always the person who appears to be genuine, but perhaps the one who at first is an enemy, always putting us down.  It is hard to believe someone with those attributes could become true to any of us.  

Don’t look for someone who appears through their angelic persona as a perfect friend, but someone who can stand the test of time and even goes through a period of ungraciousness that may prove to be that person you are looking for.  When anyone who falls from grace and realizes the need for himself seeks a friend that will support him in spite of his failure.  

That will become the one who understands your own dilemma when you’re in dire need of someone who will become a true friend in your deepest despair.  

The day the deacon Stephen was being stoned to death, a person who approved of his death was already preparing to arrest Christians in the name of Jesus.  Saul of Tarsus, was an enemy of Jesus, and the very people Jesus’ death/resurrection was growing became a true friend of our Lord.  He stood by Jesus even as his mission became the establishment of more than 50 % of the New Testament.  Paul became a true friend to Jesus unto his own loss of life.  He was beheaded, Peter was crucified upside down since he did not feel worthy to be crucified as Jesus was.  He was the true friend of Christ as well. 

If you are looking for someone whom you can rely on as your best friend, be careful when  choosing someone that everything about their demeanor meets the criterion of a past that had its ups and downs.  True friendship is not always what it may appear to be.  When Jesus chose his disciples, he was aware of their weaknesses, but we know God always looks at our heart  and still chooses us.

One who has gone through adversity and found their way out, usually from another similar soul, is the one you may depend upon to reveal your deepest emotions.

Ralph B. Hathaway