"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17
For a runner that runs solo the majority of the time, words can not express what a blessing it is to run with a friend. And Saturday was a great reminder of why. Early that morning a group of us met up and, after several minutes of welcoming and embracing one another, we gathered together (in a circle holding hands) to pray. Upon determining who was running what pace and distance, we then broke into pairs and headed out to enjoy the beautiful day. While everyone's goal for that morning's workout was different, there was one thing we shared-this group of friends, united together by Christ, was there to strengthen one another.
Just as the rubbing of two iron blades together sharpens the edges of knives, improving their ability to do the task they were designed for (cutting and slicing), the bible tells us that Godly friends do the same for us. Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." When a knife is blunt or worn-down, it is less effective and useful for service. The mental sharpness that comes from examining God's word together, praying and counseling one another through our friendships, makes us more useful for service too... as we "sharpen" one another to do the things God designed us for.
So make time for your friends and you'll both be the "sharper" for it. Because in the words of J. Bytheway, "To have friends who will always take you to higher ground is an incalculable blessing."
Heavenly Father, thank you your many blessings in our lives. Thank you for those friends that remind us of them and of your goodness, grace and mercy. May we be that friend who serves to sharpen others and may we always make time for those friends that serve to sharpen us. May our goal be to be more useful and effective to do the things you have designed us for. Oh praise you Lord for those friends we love that love us right back. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Thank you for being a friend - Andrew Gold
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