Awakening Grace

In Chapter 8 of the book Awakening Grace, it talks about Covenant Friendship. This is my favorite chapter of the book.

From Biblestudytools.com, the term covenant is defined as the following: “Covenant in a social setting means a lifelong friendship agreement; or it can refer to a marriage.

The biblical words most often translated "covenant" are berit [tyir.B] in the Old Testament (appearing about 280 times) and diatheke [diaqhvkh] in the New Testament (at least 33 times). The origin of the Old Testament word has been debated; some have said it comes from a custom of eating together ( Gen 26:30 ; 31:54 ); others have emphasized the idea of cutting an animal (an animal was cut in half [ 15:18 ]); still others have seen the ideas of perceiving or determining as root concepts. The preferred meaning of this Old Testament word is bond; a covenant refers to two or more parties bound together.”

Authors Note: I know the above paragraph is a little wordy, but I like listing everything, so we can see the different verses associated and the history that is involved.

As a person in my middle forties, I am always reminded of what a privilege it is to be a witness to so many people’s lives.  I am also reminded of what amazing friendships have been cultivated throughout my 44 years. These friendships have had their up and downs. Some of these friendships have been like a message in a bottle that eventually finds its way back to the shore of my life. Each relationship riding the ripples that are changing and molding to where I am anchored at that moment.

“Friendship touches a deep place within us. In a way, it forgets who we were, reminds us of who we are, and believes in who we can become.” – Awakening Grace

My prayer is that we all have friendships that pick up right where they left off. But I also pray that we can find the possibility of cultivating a covenant friendship in anyone we meet. Just like we are born with a thirst to know Jesus, we are also born with a need to connect with others. In sharing our thirst and our need we are able to cultivate covenant friendships.

Another aspect of covenant friendship that needs to be explored is the trials and tribulations that go along with it. Many times, an unbreakable bond is formed from a hardship in one’s life or in an effort to overcome something that seems impossible. This could be something as simple as studying for a test, a grueling workout or something as scary as a loved one going to prison or going through cancer. Each of these instances at their own level seem insurmountable, like a tidal wave taking us under at our knees, and yet, by going through these trials and tribulations, those covenant friendships are the buoy or the anchor that keeps us alive  . . . living . . . and sometimes just breathing.

Dear Lord – I pray for my covenant friendships, those that I have and those that I will have. I pray for those friends who are my buoy, that you may guide them and lift them up. I pray that I am a true example of what a covenant friend exemplifies. Please help me in identifying those who are in the tidal wave. Help me find the words and/or actions to lift them up. Please help me to reflect your image in all my friendships.