That number, too, is (in comparison) rather astonishing. How is it that we can interact with so many people while so few travel with us throughout our lives?
This summer I spent a significant amount of time investing in the old friendships God's given me over the years. It was well past time. Throughout life, God has sifted through the great number of acquaintances bumping shoulders with me to provide me with a group of people that I easily understand and communicate with.
This summer I was reading Corrie Ten Boom's The Hiding Place (recommended by a dear friend many years ago), and I stumbled across a few beautifully written passages. One of my favorite passages is about the past:
"But, this is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." ~ Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place)
I immediately thought of my friendships after reading this quote-- hasn't every friend God has ever given me served to strengthen me & shape me? Haven't they had an impact on who I am and what I believe?
I think of Proverbs 27:17-- "As Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."
I couldn't help but stop to praise God for the friends he's given me-- and then to remind them how thankful I am for them. It's worth the phone call-- it's worth the time spent writing an e-mail or a letter . . . it's worth making an extra effort to visit them! They are precious gifts God has given me!
And then, as I continued reading The Hiding Place, I saw how little of the book was about friendships . . . in fact, most of it was about living daily with true enemies-- Nazi leaders who wanted those in the death camps to hurt and die.
. . . Suddenly, the quote above takes on a whole new significance. I quickly focused on the positive, healthy relationships that have positively impacted my life . . . but, what of the hard relationships? What of the teachers, leaders, peers, coaches, and other individuals who have opposed me. . . What of my antagonists- my 'enemies?'
I pondered Ten Boom's idea, though it felt so foreign to me. I quickly saw that it matched up with scripture--
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" Matthew 5:44
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
My last thought focused on a passage from The Hiding Place where Corrie's sister, Betsie, enters her living quarters and proceeds to thank God for everything he gave them-- including the fleas attacking them as they stood there.
Corrie describes her wide eyed stare as she asked Betsie, "what good could their possibly be in fleas?! The women were stationed in this location to knit, and Betsie & Corrie used the opportunity to share their faith with those they worked with. Their work was rarely checked by any officials as they worked, so they had ample time for ministry.
Can you guess the reason? The fleas.
I can't say that being thankful in all circumstances or loving my enemies comes easily for me . . . but maybe it's time to practice praising God for ALL people and ALL circumstances.
