We can only go so
far in life by ourselves. Show me your friends and I’ll tell you how far you’re
going to go. People we hang around with have the power to bring life or death
into our lives.
C. S. Lewis said, “The next best
thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.” When we select our friends wisely,
we’ll see a speedy growth in ourselves, our family, business and career. When we
keep to ourselves or keep bad company it will hinder our growth and progress.
People we spend time with have a great influence in our lives. It’s ok to help
others who are negative, struggling, and making wrong choices but if they
become our only friends then we’re going to stifle our own growth.
In the Bible,
there are many examples of people who rose to the top due to the company they
kept. We don’t have to have a “better
than you” attitude but we must chose friends who will challenge us to go up
higher.
Being a minister,
I have to relate to different types of people. I take pride in making friends
with those who are not “all together.”
I love people who are falling short of the mark. Jesus was a friend of the
sinners and I want to be like Him. I’m friend to all but I chose my inner
circle very carefully. I know from past mistakes that having the wrong friend
or no friend will steer me in the wrong direction. Jesus was available to all
but He gave Himself to the twelve disciples and even a smaller group of people were
His inner circle.
One of the
advantages of having wise people for our friend is they open new doors for us.
When we establish a mutual relationship, we can refer our friends to each other.
This is why it is vitally important to build long-term relationships. If we’re
calling on people only when we need something from them then our relationship is
shallow and you can’t expect too much from it. But when we seriously invest our
time, efforts and energy to enrich the life of the other person, we too will be
blessed by God and our associates.
The Bible gives
clear instructions on not to make close friends with angry, negative and lazy
people. Friendship with a gossiper may be tempting but one day they’ll gossip
about you. The Bible says, “Evil company
corrupts good manners.” Choose your friends wisely.
When I look for a
close friend, I pay attention to how they talk, how they spend their time and
their love for the things of God. If their talk is constantly negative I wait
for them. If they’re sour and critical, I avoid them from getting too close. I
stay away from those who are lazy and time-wasters. I minister to all types of
people but I don’t bring them home with me.
Another thing I’ve
learnt in life is to have varieties of
friends. I have friends who give me sound financial advice. I have others
who teach me about relationships. Yet there are others who bring spiritual input
into my life and my least favorites are those who are reminding me to exercise!
;) Seriously, if you want a balanced life, you have to have variation of
friendships. When we have input into our lives by wise people, we’ll increase
by association.
One of the best friends and associates
we all can have is to have God on our side. When God is on our side and we’re on His, we
can do anything. Don’t put God in the back seat and expect to have a smooth
ride. You’ve heard people say, “Let God
be your co-pilot.” I’m challenging us put God on the driver’s seat so that
He can lead us to our destiny in victory. I guarantee you’ll increase by
association when you have God on your side. Let’s choose your friends wisely.
“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools
and get in trouble” (Proverbs 13:20 NLT).
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