Deep-spirited Friendship

One contemporary translation of Paul's letter to Phillipians reads, "If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life.. then be deep-spirited friends."

What does a deep-spirited friendship look like?

An essential part of spiritual friendship involves deep listening for the life within each other. Do you have someone in your life who listens beyond the clamor of concerns, refrains from problem solving and is tender and compassionate? Tenderness is not often lifted up as an important character trait, but how valuable it is when our expression of brokenness is met with a tender listening ear. Being a friend that listens is not easy, we can get caught up in what we are hearing said and not listen deeply to the soul of the one speaking.

In Colossians, chapter 3, Paul wrote that our "life is hidden with Christ in God." That means that there is an eternal love of God concealed in our humanity. Our journey in faith is to continually die daily to selfish ambitions and put off the old ways of life so that Christ may be glorified. Who helps you remember you are a beloved child of God? Who helps you return to the undisturbed peace of your soul that passes all understanding?

This is the friendship Jesus shows us and this is the spiritual companionship he promised for his followers.

Pray today for Christ to be at the center of your relationships. (Philippians 2 and Collosians 3:3)