A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
-Proverbs 17:17

We talk alot about grace on this blog...and with good reason. But grace, in it's beautiful complexity, is so much more than just forgiveness. Forgiveness is merely one single facet of grace; the beginning; the catalyst; the action that begins to transform the heart and mind of both the forgiver and the forgiven. However, grace also teaches us how to see others, especially our friends, as if through the eyes of God.

Before we were taken by grace, we were fickle in our associations. Our propensity to abscond at the outset of trouble marked us as self-interested and prideful. How many of us were fair-weather-friends? How many of us would hold ranks as long as there was some benefit to us? Did we secretly judge a good friend when they failed? Did we decide to become scarce when they really needed us?

Now think back, for a moment, to a time when a friend really helped you through adversity. I'm not talking about lip service or simply lending you money. I'm talking about a difficult time through which a friend stayed connected and committed to you, maybe even at great risk to themselves or their reputation. Perhaps you were going through a divorce. Perhaps you lost someone. Perhaps you fell into sin for a season. Perhaps you became very ill. The reasons are endless. Yet, no matter what, that person stayed with you...helped you...listened to you...cared for you...advocated for you...believed you; even when you thought you didn't deserve it.

Friendships are laden with all sorts of divine purpose. As agents of grace, we must begin to treat our friendships and associations as if they were things of immeasurable value...and indeed they are. That means, that we love them no matter what kind of trouble they are in, what sort of misfortune has befallen them or how unwise we believe their decisions to be. I'm not saying that we allow ourselves to be abused nor am I suggesting that we don't use common sense. But I am saying that when life gets tough for the ones we love, we should stay the course instead of fleeing the scene simply because we don't like to feel uncomfortable, recruited or obligated.

Guess what? True friendship is an obligation; an obligation of the heart. We can console a friend without condoning their actions. We can appreciate their situation without approving of their views. We can be with them without becoming them.

So, the next time a friend calls you up and asks for help moving his furniture to another address...maybe you should say "no problem, anything for a friend."