You don’t need to look far to see this playing out in our lives. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

- I don’t have someone I can call anytime for help, day or night.

- I get tired of having to do so many things by myself.

- I make friends but don’t keep them.

- I wish I were part of a group that loves and supports one another.

- I want deeper friendships but don’t know where to start.

We live in what many are calling a "friendship recession." But what if we could reclaim the beauty and importance of friendship, seeing it not as a luxury but as a vital part of who God created us to be?

A Friend by Design

One of the most foundational truths of Scripture is this: God is love. It’s more than just a description of God’s character; it’s the essence of his being. The Bible shows us that God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—a relationship of perfect, infinite love. From all eternity, there has been love—a divine fellowship, or you might even say, a divine friendship. And it’s out of this overflow of love that God created the world and, ultimately, us.

Being made in the image of a God who is love means we are designed for relationships. God created us to love him and love one another. In fact, he said it wasn’t good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Your need for friends isn’t just a human desire; it’s a divine design. The only way to fully experience God as he intended is to experience him alongside others.

But if this is true, why are so many of us struggling with loneliness?

What Went Wrong?

Sin. When sin entered the world, it broke more than our relationship with God; it fractured our relationships with one another. What was once marked by love and trust became marked by conflict and distance. This is why every human relationship, no matter how close, will carry some degree of brokenness until our relationship with God is restored.

This is where the good news of the gospel comes in. Jesus—God in the flesh—came to reconcile us to God and to each other. In John 15:15, Jesus says to his disciples, “Now you are my friends.” The gospel is not just a story of salvation; it’s an invitation into friendship with Jesus. He is the ultimate friend, the one who loves unconditionally, sharpens us for the better, and walks alongside us in trust and truth.

Reclaiming Friendship

“A friend is someone who loves, sharpens, and walks alongside you in trust and truth.” Do you wish you had a friend like that? The good news is that you do. His name is Jesus.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He calls us to reflect his love in our relationships with others. In John 15:12, he commands us to love one another as he has loved us. This is the heart of biblical friendship: a mutual commitment to love, sharpen, and walk alongside each other in trust and truth.

So, where do we start? Friendship is not something that just happens; it’s something we intentionally build. It’s time to stop waiting for someone to reach out and start being the kind of friend we long for. Text that friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Invite someone over for coffee. Join a group that shares your interests. And most importantly, lean into your friendship with Jesus, who teaches us how to be a friend worth having.

You’ve Got a Friend

Loneliness doesn’t have to define your story. God created you for connection, and he’s given you the ultimate friend in Jesus. Now, he’s calling you to be that kind of friend to others. Imagine a community where no one walks alone, where love is abundant, and friendships flourish. That’s not just a dream; it’s the life Jesus offers to those who follow him.

Are you ready to take the first step?

By Pastor Tim