One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24.

“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.”[1]

The Bible gives us three illustrations of purposeful relationships. Meet Naomi, who lost both her husband and her two sons.  Naomi told her two young daughter-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their homes “to find rest in the home of another husband” (Ruth 1:9).  Orpah had journeyed with Naomi for a season.  Her season complete, Orpah wept and kissed her mother-in-law goodbye (1:15).

But Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you…where you go I will go… your people will be my people and your God my God” (1:16).  Ruth was there for a lifetime. The two women relocated due to famine and Naomi sent Ruth out to glean leftover grain from the fields. Ruth miraculously ended up in the fields of Boaz, a distant relative of Naomi’s. Boaz married Ruth and the couple presented Naomi with a grandson… who would be the grandfather of David.

Moses had a weakness. When God asked Moses to speak for Him, Moses protested, ” O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled…Please, send anyone else!” (Exodus 4:10,13).  Just then Moses’ older brother Aaron arrived on the scene. “Aaron will be your spokesman to the people.” God said. “He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say” (4:16).  Aaron and Moses were brought together for an eternal reason.

Whether in your life for a season, reason or a lifetime, thank a friend on the journey with you today!

[1] Chalker, Brian A. “Reason, Season, or Lifetime.” Arlington Public Schools, VA, https://eap.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2020/05/Season-Reason-Lifetime-for-Friendships.pdf