One of the best things about being at Mahaffey Family Camp is renewing meaningful friendships. As I think about these good people that I see annually, I note there are at least three kinds of friendships in my life.
- Old lost friendships, which are treasured for the memories they contain and the value they provided in their time.
- Periodic friendships, which are like a ocean waves coming and going as lives intersect.
- Constant friendships, which remain active for years.
Mahaffey Camp is generally marked by periodic relationships — relationships where I talk to friends for a the ten day camp period and wait for 355 days to see them again. It’s interesting to see how their lives have changed and we have grown.
The question that comes to my mind is this: What is God’s place in this friendship categorization? Do you see him as a long-lost friend or as a constant companion? Or is your experience with him kind of come-and-go, as friend who comes and goes as your schedule permits or need requires?
Jesus desires that we enjoy him as a constant friend.
John 15:15 (NIV) 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
It’s my prayer for all my friends that they would experience this kind of relationship with God.