This article is adapted from Lamont's blog - Uphill Idealist.
There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances.
Two men were out hunting. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, “What are you doing? Don’t you know you can’t outrun a grizzly bear?” “I don’t have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!”
This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends’ well-being.
On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work for the benefit of others, and sacrificially care for the needs of another person.
Rainy day friends are the ones who listen to us when life is difficult, and remain faithful in friendship and relationship when the rest of the world turns their back to us. The scriptures give us some excellent examples of sincere friendship, but God’s desire to connect with humanity is beautifully expressed by the account of Abraham and God in Genesis 18 and Jesus and humanity in John 15. In Genesis 18, you will find a picture of God (in the form of the complete trinity), coming to have a meal and spend time with Abraham. Abraham has been called God’s friend.
James 2:23 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. Abraham’s relationship with God mirrors God’s desire to be in close relationship with all of his children. This relationship was not only available to Abraham, but it is available to all of us today. Is God your friend like Abraham experienced?
In John 15, we find that God’s intention all along was to be our very best rainy day friend. Jesus not only speaks of the value of sincere friendship, but also exemplifies it by the risk, challenge and sacrifice of his actions. God allowed Jesus to sacrifice himself for humanity to have the opportunity to become friends of God. God is purposefully reaching out to us in his actions and words.
God introduced himself to Abraham in Genesis over a meal and conversation, Jesus created a roadway to God by his ministry and ultimate sacrifice described in the gospels and the Holy Spirit continually supports, promotes and provides the basis necessary to build relationship with God. (Ephesians 2:17-19)
Sometimes we encounter obstacles in friendships. How about Abraham and God? What even could have become a blockade for Jesus in his befriending of humanity? Thankfully, Jesus did not allow the potential barriers to keep Him from pursuing and committing Himself to people in sincere friendship. The question is: ‘are we living in relationship – true friendship with God – or are we allowing barriers to get in the way?
Reflect today on the condition of your relationships. We can choose to bring the barriers out into the light of God’s perspective or we can choose to remain by ourselves. Sincere friendship is precious, rare and risky. Friendship requires: Agreement, loyalty, dependability, support, and sacrifice.
God follows through and is the most sincere friend a person could ever have. Will you be God’s friend? Will you be a friend to the friendless? We have the opportunity to receive a gift of relationship with God as well as the responsibility to share that with the world around us. God is and always be our best rainy day friend.
God does more than talk about sincere friendship. God is the sincere friend. God was willing to seek after and meet with Abraham and through Jesus’ work on the cross – God still seeks to be friends with us. Sunny days are beautiful, but real friendship is tested in the storms of life.
