Radical Continuity and Long-Time Friends

I want to comment again on the idea of radical continuity. Particularly I want to reflect on the role of long-time friends.

Lately I've been reading that time honored and oft revised book by Richard Bolles "What Color Is Your Parachute?" But even as I write this I've got the title covered up with my wallet so nobody around me looks at me sadly and surmises I'm a desperate, out-of-work soul. OK! So I probably am! Not really desperate, but wondering eagerly where this path will lead. One of the things he says is that you should treat your friends well and value them along the way - long before you "need" them to help you with a job. I hope I've been a good friend over the years.

What I want to reflect on is the fact that friendship can run deep. So deep that years and distance don't seem to diminish the ability to not only be friends, but that the friendship can actually grow as one matures, even if there has been little contact. How do I know this? I'm experiencing it every day.

God's radical continuity in my life, besides the presence of Christ through the Spirit, is mostly seen through friendships that I've had for many years. I know I said this in the previous post, so I write here for emphasis. I've never been strategic about friendships. I'm not a climber. There's no place I need to get to. I don't look past people in a room to get to the "important" people (at least I hope not!). The important people have always been those God has put in front of me at the moment. Sometimes they are the ones I don't see often, but remember regularly. (One thing I learned long ago was to pray for those who come to mind. I'm not good at lists but I'm good at being immediately present.) All I can say is that friendships that were established long ago are sustaining me at the moment. Many of those walking with me are people who I've not been in regular contact with over the past 20 years. Why is this?

My only conclusion is that God draws together the resources I need. God is calling people to me. It's not something I orchestrate or scheme. It is with gratitude toward God and those he's called to my path that I write this.

What's my purpose? Well - value one another. Value those who journey with you, even the least of those who walk by you.

I'm reminded of a letter that I received from a student at Lithuanian Christian College a few years ago. In a remarkable way, our congregation had given him a scholarship for his education. The letter said something like this, "Thank you for the scholarship. I'm a business major. Without your help, I wouldn't be able to continue my education. Who knows, perhaps maybe some day, I'll be able to help you out financially."

I was very moved by this expression of thanksgiving. And very much aware of its potential validity.

You never know when the tables turn. Be mindful.