One Step At A Time

Life is Good! Often decorated with flowery moments, and at other times spiced with challenges. It brings to fore the importance of our choices and the gravity of our decisions as we go along its winding path.

We all travel that road alone but ironically need each other in order to be fulfilled. Life engages us actively with a circle of friends whether we are conscious of it or not, and they define the eventual outcome of our lives, our overall output... even though we bear the consequences alone.

Over the years, i have come to terms with the fact that different people evoke different responses from a person; you may have two best friends but never feel the same way with either one.

The Lord has blessed me with exceptional friends, each one adapted to suit a purpose in life's journey...

THE TEACHER

Ama is a person i never get tired of listening to. Every time we talk, it is an insight to wisdom and knowledge. He would draw lessons from his own and others experiences, moderate it with the word of God and together we would deduce practical applications to the present, learning the way forward.

Having teachers amongst your friends relieves you of the burden of thinking your way through life alone. This person can be an older person or a peer who has excelled in areas you aspire to attain.

" Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

THE INTERCESSOR

This friend provides you a very strong alliance, such as is required to invite God to ward off enemy states and conquer new lands.

"How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight..."

Mum provided this friendship. She would gather and burden all just to pray for others... lol (pregnant women, poor people, neighbors... unending list). She would constantly speak of testimonies and God's faithfulness. Every conversation with her leaves me believing that God answers prayers... i would run off to pray.

Having intercessor friends gives you people to share your challenges and testimonies with.

THE CELEBRATOR

When i first met Anu, i never thought we would go well together. Her personality appeared too boisterous for my rather reserved self. However, when we worked together on a particular job it became obvious that we had so many things in common. We would cook up unconventional and ingenious ways to simplify and resolve complex issues. Then we would celebrate our victories with rib-cracking, heart warming ventures. The company man wondered, "what high school girls were sent to this job?" It is one of our memorable jobs, even though it was a dry well... another joke to laugh at for us.

These kind of friends make your world go round and supply you with verve to fly.

" A merry heart does good like medicine..."

THE PROMOTER

Hmmm... i have met many! Esuru. These friends drive you to excel. They provoke the best in you.

Such friends are vital to everyone's life. They remind you that you can be your dream no matter the adversity. If you surround yourself with mediocres, over time you would behave like one even when you are not. Find those friends who promote your best and keep them!

" Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul."

THE BROTHER

These friends are so close to your heart, your history and your present. They have become a part of you. With them there is no holding back. There is a constant two-way sacrificing to support each other. Whenever the need arises, you can fall back on this friend... sorry, brother. For so Christday has grown to be amongst others...

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity"

I am now challenged to identify what friendship role i play in the lives of my friends. Do i leave them better-off or worse-off.

When we identify the roles we play, let us cultivate and nurture it consciously. Let us give the best we are to everyone that needs us, that way in our circle of friends the world will keep going round.

" A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."

Far and above all friends, Jesus has proved a great friend that stays by our side when the world walks away. He's that one person who is willing to travel the solitary journey to the end with you. No matter the past consequences or hurt we bear, no matter the eventual consequences we will meet, carry him along in your boat and you'll find you do not lack a captain.

" Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."