Modern 21st century society has successfully redefined the term "friend".
Congratulations, America... it's another hollow-shell of a word that is in its proverbial death knell, as it figuratively crawls down the Orwellian primrose path of Big Brother-speak.
At no other point in history has humanity been so hyper-connected; and, inversely, at no other point (in light of the planet's saturation level of humans) has it ever felt so isolated.
Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know, don't pop a neuron considering the fact I used the word "felt". To assuage your fears, I offer this in my defense... I used it in context of a generalization to describe the rapid deterioration of our society... was not inferring anything else.
Friend or Acquaintance?
Everyone will need help at some point during their lives. So, this is me, helping you, understand what I mean when I type "friend"...
Webster's defines the word "friend" as "one attached to another by affection or esteem". Oh, and let's not forget the word "acquaintance" - which is defined as "a person whom one knows but who is not a particularly close friend."
In light of this (above), how much of a friend do we consider those whose image(s) just popped into our heads to be? If truth be known, in reality, are many of these individuals merely "acquaintances"?
The Value
Either by knowledge, affection or esteem, there are individuals (often daily) with whom we have communicating with us. If any of these individuals consider themselves to be friendly... how "good" of a "friend" do we consider each individual to be?
Would they make us better for having them in our lives? "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." ~ Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Would they pick us up when we fall? "For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" ~ Ecclesiastes 4:20 ESV
Would they love us, always? "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." ~ Proverbs 17:17 ESV
Would they be there when all others leave? "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." ~ Proverbs 18:24 ESV
Would they know how to empathize? "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." ~ Romans 12:15 ESV
Would they DIE for us? "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." ~ John 15:13 ESV
Freeze, Flight or Phobia?
So, what has others so petrified to breach our "personal space" bubbles that we don't let anyone in? Why don't others make friends with us - when there is so much to be gained - and choose (instead) to run head-long the opposite direction? Why are they so glossophobic (fear of speaking in general) or anthropophobic (fear of meeting people)?
Final Thoughts
Take a look at the time we burn during the week - examining my schedule, for starters. Hours spent during a 168 week...
Sleeping: 52.5 (31%)
Working: 37.5 (22%)
Traveling: 9.0 (5%)
Eating: 7.0 (4%)
Reading & Discussing Scripture; Counseling; Worship; Prayer: 5.75 (3.5%)
Worship, Study with the Gathering: 4.5 (3%)
Other/Available Time: 51.75 (31.5%)
I am embarrassed - given this huge amount of time leftover. I should NOT be looking for true friends... I should BE that which I am looking for... striving to invest myself (more) in the lives of others... especially in the Gathering... to those who may be looking at me as if I was merely an "acquaintance". MMLIA
Congratulations, America... it's another hollow-shell of a word that is in its proverbial death knell, as it figuratively crawls down the Orwellian primrose path of Big Brother-speak.
At no other point in history has humanity been so hyper-connected; and, inversely, at no other point (in light of the planet's saturation level of humans) has it ever felt so isolated.
Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know, don't pop a neuron considering the fact I used the word "felt". To assuage your fears, I offer this in my defense... I used it in context of a generalization to describe the rapid deterioration of our society... was not inferring anything else.
Friend or Acquaintance?
Everyone will need help at some point during their lives. So, this is me, helping you, understand what I mean when I type "friend"...
Webster's defines the word "friend" as "one attached to another by affection or esteem". Oh, and let's not forget the word "acquaintance" - which is defined as "a person whom one knows but who is not a particularly close friend."
In light of this (above), how much of a friend do we consider those whose image(s) just popped into our heads to be? If truth be known, in reality, are many of these individuals merely "acquaintances"?
The Value
Either by knowledge, affection or esteem, there are individuals (often daily) with whom we have communicating with us. If any of these individuals consider themselves to be friendly... how "good" of a "friend" do we consider each individual to be?
Would they make us better for having them in our lives? "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." ~ Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Would they pick us up when we fall? "For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" ~ Ecclesiastes 4:20 ESV
Would they love us, always? "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." ~ Proverbs 17:17 ESV
Would they be there when all others leave? "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." ~ Proverbs 18:24 ESV
Would they know how to empathize? "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." ~ Romans 12:15 ESV
Would they DIE for us? "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." ~ John 15:13 ESV
Freeze, Flight or Phobia?
So, what has others so petrified to breach our "personal space" bubbles that we don't let anyone in? Why don't others make friends with us - when there is so much to be gained - and choose (instead) to run head-long the opposite direction? Why are they so glossophobic (fear of speaking in general) or anthropophobic (fear of meeting people)?
Final Thoughts
Take a look at the time we burn during the week - examining my schedule, for starters. Hours spent during a 168 week...
Sleeping: 52.5 (31%)
Working: 37.5 (22%)
Traveling: 9.0 (5%)
Eating: 7.0 (4%)
Reading & Discussing Scripture; Counseling; Worship; Prayer: 5.75 (3.5%)
Worship, Study with the Gathering: 4.5 (3%)
Other/Available Time: 51.75 (31.5%)
I am embarrassed - given this huge amount of time leftover. I should NOT be looking for true friends... I should BE that which I am looking for... striving to invest myself (more) in the lives of others... especially in the Gathering... to those who may be looking at me as if I was merely an "acquaintance". MMLIA
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