Monthly Devotion
The Value of Friendship
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (The Message)
“It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.”
I remember my years of elementary school and walking to school with my sister and our friends from the neighborhood. It never failed that my mother or one of the other parents would remind us to, “Stay together.” Of course, as a young, impetuous child I didn’t always obey this admonition because at the time I didn’t quite comprehend its meaning. Now, however, I have a much clearer understanding.
In my nearly two years of chaplaincy with Christian Care Communities, I have been privileged to see exemplified some of life’s most poignant and powerful lessons by a community of persons who have had both the blessing and challenge of living life to the fullest. While I often see examples of courage, resiliency, and perseverance, I also see unique models of genuine care, concern, and compassion for one’s neighbor. These images of friendship carry great meaning.
I get to watch a group of seniors live out the words recorded by the wisdom writer in Ecclesiastes 4. I get to see first-hand people who are themselves in need of care, showing concern and providing comfort to others. What a beautiful embodiment of the value of friendship! And, I absolutely love the way The Message translation unpacks this passage, for there is certain vividness that it captures that leaves no doubt that friendship and fellowship are God’s design for humanity.
Contemporary Gospel songwriter, Hezekiah Walker, profoundly proclaims this truth in his song, “I Need You to Survive,” as he shares these words:
I need you, you need me. We're all a part of God's body.
Stand with me, agree with me. We're all a part of God's body.
It is his will, that every need be supplied.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.
Living in a time that seems to place so much value on independence and selfishness, we do ourselves, our neighbors, and our world a greater service when we instead embrace our interdependence and selflessness. We need each other, so let us follow the examples set by our seniors. Let’s offer real friendship and show genuine concern for others. What a great way to honor God!
Andreas Price, Chaplain