“I should like very much, then, to share this all so sudden metamorphosis of mine with you. Doing so would make me start to feel a surer faith in the friendship that exists between us, that true friendship which not hope nor fear nor concern for personal advantage ever sunders, that friendship in which and for which people are ready to die.”
Seneca, Letter VI, Letters from a Stoic
In these words, this 1st century Roman spoke of the power of speaking to a friend from the depths of the soul. Sharing with a friend the improvements he sought to make in his own character, and the transformation he had experienced, gave him a stronger assurance of friendship. Well, of course. True friendship is grounded in the close exchange of thoughts between souls. Assurance and trust of the friendship is often built and fed by these stirring discussions.
In Seneca’s words, the bond is “a fellowship of desire for all that is honorable.” As Christians, we need such fellowship, pointing one another with grace, love, and focus to “all that is honorable.” Yes. Such mutual desire and pointing are the foundation for the strongest of bonds. Such friendship can never be severed. And it is worth the highest effort and sacrifice.
And yet realistically, such closeness is exceedingly rare. It must be carefully weighed. It requires discernment. A certain ease of communication. Right evaluation. And even when enjoyed, it is not always permanent. Some of the sweetest gifts of life are temporary. For one reason or another, close friendships can shift or end over time. The loss of such can leave a sharp, painful hole. If you find yourself in such isolation, even when surrounded by people, what do you do? You can remember the gift, and all that was shared, but that only gives partial remedy.
The only satisfying answer, is that there is the strongest of friendship with Him that sticks closer than a brother. His love alone can fill the caverns left by any degree of loss. For eternal fellowship with His people, Christ willingly laid down His life.
For His friends.
And with such assurance, we press on with joyful hope!