Spiritual Friendship

In response to David Emery's message this week on Accountable Relationships:

None of us on the Christian path travels alone; we always journey with others at our side, before us, and sometimes trailing behind us.  A great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1), a communion of saints both living and departed surrounds us.  There is no such thing as a solitary Christian, which is a great grace.  To be a Christian means we are part of the body of Christ. The communities in which we live and journey give faces and names to our true companions.  And, I am thankful that my companions surround the globe - from Western Kentucky to San Jose, Costa Rica.

For me, Christianity is an intensely personal matter - for the living Christ invades me at the core of my being. But, it is never just a private matter between me and God. The broader Christian community provides means of support to stay on the road and not travel down the path of self-obsession.  My spiritual friends are the people who pull me toward God.  My spiritual friends keep me accountable by God's grace to be the best wife, mother and friend I can be.

Who is in your closest circle of friends?  Do you have accountable friendships?  Do you have companions for your journey?  What person(s) would you like to add to your circle? 

John 15:15 -  "I do not call you servants any longer....but I have called you friends."  Ultimately, I believe the true goal of spiritual friendship is to be known and counted as a lover of God, a friend of God.

Will you invite Spiritual Friendship into your life?