Long time friendships are cherished by many people. It is vital to point out that some friends stick to you because of what you have. Others stick to you because of what you are able to do for them. There are also others who stick to you because they have no any other choice. However, the best friend is the one who sticks to you because of who you are. This kind of friend values you regardless of your changing circumstances. Unfortunately, the world is in short supply of such kind of friends. If you have such a best friend, take time to let them know how much you appreciate their friendship. Many of us cry when such friends die or disappear. We wish the clock was rewound for us to let them know how much we were blessed to have them, but that chance never bounces back. No wonder people say, “Do not cast the roses after I’m gone.” Let your loved one know that you love them when they can see and hear your appreciation. Sometimes it is good to surprise them with a midnight call where you just express yourself of how much they have been good to me. Send them a “thank you card” or spoil them with some memorable acts that can affirm their good friendship.
Above all, today I have my 30 years very best friend who I am delighted to introduce and share with you. This very best of mine want to befriend you too. My very best friend is very rich but he never stops to amaze me because he associates freely with everyone, including the poor and the commoners in society. He is extremely intelligent and smart, but he presents himself to everyone at their level. This very best friend I am about to introduce in your life today is very generous but he never brags to others of how much he has done for you. He is a friend who has a big mansion but once you befriend him, he leaves his mansion and shares a room with you.
My parents always encouraged me to have him as a friend, but it never made sense to me to have him as a friend. I did not to embarrass myself by befriending him and break his heart later for failing to maintain good relationship. Regardless of my persistent refusal, this very best friend with his request for friendship as early as I was 9 years old. As a person who having friendship with him Beverly made sense, I kept on blocking him for further requests by telling him that I was very young. I felt he was too big and very powerful that it would be impossible for him to accept my childhood foolishness and my teenage unpredictability. Nonetheless, this very best friend never gave up on me. After turning down his requests that were first sent to me through my parents, he decided to use a stranger who did not know me. In August 1987, I listened to a church sermon that a pastor who was a stranger in the area preached at the camp meeting that I attended with my parents. I was 13 years old and my big surprise was that at the end of the sermon the visiting pastor made the same request that I used to hear my parents extend to me. He made an altar call for people to make a relationship with this man I call my best friend now. In response, I saw adults lining up in front and there were some pastors who shook hands with them as they welcomed them into their new friendship.
The special moment to me came when the pastor looked toward the direction where all the kids were sitting. The pastor extended the invitation to all the kids present and said, “Some of you kids refuse to accept this friend because you feel it is too early, but I have good news for you that this friend loves all including kids. Therefore, do not harden your hearts. Accept him today.” When I heard those words, I felt the visiting pastor talking directly to me. I rejected many invitations before for friendship with the man he was introducing. However, at that moment my heart melted down and I found courage to walk down the isle to join others that already accepted the call to this new friendship. Today I have no regrets for making that decision because everything in my life changed immediately for the better.
Our friendship journey was initiated by the baptism that took place at the end of the camp meeting. I can spend the whole day sharing with you the good things that I have enjoyed with this very best friend who I met in 1987 at Mbalanguzi SDA Church camp meeting in Thyolo, Malawi. All what I can say is that he cares and he is an ever present best friend who has never walked away from me. He has always looked for the best in me. In my disappointments, he has been my encouragement. In my loss of direction, he has been my guide and the light house. In my shameful moments, he has always extended his grace that restored my honor. Therefore, without any reservation, I recommend to you this friend that I have known for the past 30 years. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the creator of heaven and universe. He is the Savior and very soon he will be coming to take his very best friends to heaven. His friendship request was extended to all us us since the day he died on the cross. He is willing to make you a friend today. Trust me, once you have Him as a friend, he will surpass all the best friends that you have here on earth. I urge you to launch into this friendship with Jesus Christ today when you are still alive. Tomorrow is not ours. Salvation is now. May you share this post with others who this testimony may also bring to them the very best Friend, Jesus Christ who is the desire of the world. Happy Sabbath and may you have a restful weekend.
HOPE TO LIVE BY 