Your Presence Is Heaven To Me

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
 but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20

Who are you walking with? 
25 years ago I was 16 and I could name my fathers top 6 friends in 20 seconds. I just knew. They were there for each other. At that time the average person had 6 close friends. Today in 2014 the average person has 2. 
One in four people will say that they have no close friends. 

#1. Learn to Be Present. 
I was at the gym and a friend asked me what I was doing that weekend. I answered and tried to act positive but this close friend knew me well enough to see my facial expressions said, "I am dreading this weekends event!" Her advice to me was "Be Present." Wherever you are, practice being present. 
Since that day I have approached things in this way at home, at work and at those not so fun events. Everything is better when I have this attitude. 

Hebrews 10:24 – 25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and
good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

There is a new phobia. Do you have it? It's called talking on the phone! 
People don't meet face to face as much as they use to. My advice is use social media and texting as a tool, but don't neglect meeting up with your close friends. Be present when you are with them. Be a great listener. Show them how much you care by asking about their life and don't cut them off mid sentence. 

#2. Open Up. 
James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.   

You don't need 523 friends, but I think people do well when they have a few friends that they love and trust. 
Make time to pray. Be present while praying and ask God to help you to be a good friend, a good citizen. Ask Him not for what you need today, but what you can contribute. 

One more thing - People need you. Be the change you want to see in the world. Not everyone has a close friend. Wherever you are and wherever you go, be present and be friendly. 

Love, Pastor Max