One thing that I have been learning the last few months is the importance of friends in your life. Now I don't mean friends that you sit to and talk with during classes, but true friendships. People that you can be real and honest with. People that you are not afraid to go to with your deep secrets. People that you are not afraid to ask to keep you accountable. These are precious and delicate, they need to be nurtured and cared for, loved and adored. Friendships like this are rare, and as my parents have said they are few and far between.
Food for thought... this semester my growth group discussed this very topic. Going to God and confessing your sins to him produces forgiveness. This is not really a new topic, it is discussed at almost every church service. The radical idea stems from a passage at the end of James. James 5:16 says "Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." You see, forgiveness comes from God, but healing comes from being open, real, and vulnerable with the people closest to you.
So I am going to challenge you to take a step of faith. Take a break from finals, grab your friends, grab some food and dive into a meaningful conversation. One that is going to mean something, one that will impact you in some way. Friends don't be afraid to be honest with your advice, don't be mean, but make the most of the time you have with each other. Also remember that sometimes advice is not necessary, being available just to listen is often the greatest gift you can give a friend. It's not going to be easy, but trust me in the end it will be worth it.
