Friendships God's Way

As soon as he [David] had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV)

David and Jonathan had a friendship that defies normal. Jonathan was Saul's son and was in line to inherit the crown and rule Israel. There was just one problem. God had chosen David to be the next King.

Unlike his father, Saul, Jonathan was not jealous of David. He loved him so much that he was willing to risk his life for him. But, I think more then he loved David, he loved God. When I read the story of Jonathan and David, especially when Jonathan dies, I marvel at the love between them and I marvel at Jonathan's willingness to do anything for David.

I ask myself "Why?" What would make Jonathan so willing to sacrifice everything for his friend? I believe it was his love for his God that allowed him to behave in this way. Human beings, no matter how much we want to be noble and good, we struggle. We struggle with thoughts of ourselves and what we want to see happen. It's only when God is the center of our lives, only when God is leading our thoughts that we can rise above our selfish natures and live a magnanimous life.

Jonathan did that. He gave everything to bring about God's plan even if he wasn't in the center of it. I want to be like Jonathan. Wouldn't it be amazing to look at someone's blessings and be truly happy for them? Wouldn't it be freeing to step in and help someone even if it will benefit them way more than it will benefit me?  Wouldn't my heart be in the perfect place if I was able to honor God's plans for someone's life before I even thought of my own?  Yes, I would like to be like Jonathan.

Are You Human?

Then Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?" Luke 7:44 (NCV)

Recently, I started taking walks every day. As I walk along, I pass people who are walking. Some have their ear buds in and are not paying attention. Even if you look at them, they don't look back. Some look at you and smile. Some wave. Some say hello. You never know what you are going to get.

But then, I pass by people with dogs.  And the people still don't always look at me but the dogs always do.  They look at your face, tilt their heads as if to say "Hello, are you friendly?" They invite you into their space. They put one step forward toward you as if extending an invitation of friendship. There is so much eagerness in their body language and mannerisms.

When Simon was using his body language and his thoughts to criticize the woman who came to worship Jesus, Jesus could see it and he knew what he was thinking. His response? Simon, do you really see her? Do you really know her heart and know who she is.  Look at her. Really look at her.

What if we were more like dogs? Seriously. What if when we are passing each other on the street or checking out at the store or if we are walking down the hall at work.....what if we actually looked at each other, smiled and with our body language extended an invitation of friendship. What if we stopped being so busy that we tried to see each other's hearts.

I bet Jesus would be super happy with that.