The Best Man

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Over my life, I have had amazing people whose existence has blessed me.  In my family, I have two brothers and a brother in law, and I have these amazing group of men who are like brothers and are always there for and supportive of me.  Some send me scripture, and others give me encouragement.  A few keep my spirits up, and yet another instills in me the confidence to move forward.  One however has been with me since my childhood.  We may not always be around and we are distant from each other, but the comradery we have when we are together is both unmistakable and unshakable.  While he is not directly my brother, he might as well be as he has been with me all of my life.  I pray for him for he has always been there for me, and should he need me, I will be there for him.  Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he is my best man!

We can have no greater friend than Jesus, and He blesses us with people who are always there for us.  For those of us blessed with a spouse, they represent a special kind of relationship that is blessed by God.  As pointed out in Ecclesiastes, there is clearly another type of relationship that is intended by God for our protection.  These are people who God places in our life.  I once read that a true friend is someone who will come over, drive with you, and dig where you can bury the body, and not ask any questions.  Now that is certainly extreme, but it speaks to the kind of loyalty a blessed best friend has for you.  Furthermore, they can be one who is a guide who point out blind spots or be a mentor in your spiritual journey.  Even Jesus had such a friend in Peter.  Even though Peter would deny Him, Jesus turns to Peter asking him to take care of the others and spread the word of the Gospel (see John 21:15-18).  While it is true that God is the only person who will never fail us, He would not have us stay in our own confines like a hermit.  We are to reach out to others trusting God as our protector for as it later says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12a)

We were not meant to lead a life of solitary confinement.  While the world is indeed a dangerous place run by those who would attempt to bring us down, we have a God who is with us every step of the way.  Along those lines, we must trust Him as we reach out to others with full confidence.  Although we at times will be disappointed, we will find someone God truly intended for us, and it will lead to fellowship with others under Him.  So remove all that may impede on building a lasting Godly relationship.  Trust in God, and trust in a true friend.  Who can you extend your trust to for the sake of building a more Godly relationship?  What friend could use more of the God in you?  My prayer is that we all trust in God to provide us guidance in finding our ‘Best Man.’ Amen.