Long Lasting

I wrote recently about relationships in life and how some of them are seasonal. The short-term nature of these are still important parts of the people we have become and our life history. I think it's also valuable to have some relationships that are long term. These are the people that have stuck with us over the years and have continued to maintain more than a casual, passing friendship. 

In these relationships there has been a mutual investment and shared life. These are people that know us at our best and love us through our worst. We have cried together, invested sweat equity with each other, laughed at (and with) each other, and developed a bond that surpasses distance. There is a depth of connection that has covered trials, victories, and failures in each of our lives. It is a strength of relationship forged through powerful life experiences and a willingness to continue to invest in each other.

My family and I recently spent time with one of those friends on the mission field in Arizona. Our friend and his family have been part of our lives since he and his sister were both children. Our time together reminded me of the years of memories and the strong connection we still share today. Our love for him was quickly extended to his fiancee as well. It was an honor to serve with them both and to receive confirmation of the power of this long-lasting friendship.

I am a blessed man to have had such good friends over the years--both for short seasons and also those that endure. Both have tremendous value and impact on who I am today.

Challenged Thinking

I have a good friend who is a pastor at another church in town. Our friendship was developed through our churches mutual investment in a community camp a couple of years ago. We have continued to work together on a variety of projects and are both very welcome in our respective churches.

Outside of church events and outreach, we continue to meet for coffee and early morning breakfast to stay connected and encourage one another. I thoroughly enjoy conversations with my friend and always gain a great deal from the way we stimulate thinking in each other. He has more ministry experience than I do and is able to offer a unique perspective from his denominational and cultural background. It's obvious that he spends a great deal of time in prayer and Scripture as he is willing to change his own view of things as God works in him.

I always look forward to our conversations simply because of our friendship. I also appreciate how he challenges my understanding of things and raises questions that are aimed at growth. It's encouraging to me to see two pastors from diverse backgrounds come together and motivate each other as we look to make an impact on our community. It's an important relationship of diversity in unity and the kind that I believe all leaders should seek out.