Last Updated on January 5, 2011
For many people looking to shed some pounds and get in better shape, a workout partner can be a big help in reaching those goals.  The partner helps motivate them, encourage them, and keep them accountable when they feel like doing something that doesn’t fit well with their workout plan.
For many of us who are striving to walk on the journey with God, we need the same kind of thing in a Christian context.
And there’s a really good reason to.
Today’s reading from 100 Days of Integrity For Men contains this line:
“When you build lasting friendships that are pleasing to God, friendships with Godly men and women whose values are admirable and whose intentions are honorable, you will be richly blessed.”
Over the past few years, I’ve really found this to be true at a level I’d never contemplated.  There’s something powerful about having friends who are either striving to get closer to God or are already at a place where they’re closer than you feel you are.  Either way, you have a valuable resource in them with whom you can let your defenses down and open up as you would with any other of your closest friends; you also have a fellow spirit warrior who’ll help you stay accountable, with whom you can really debate Biblical priniciples, and with whom you can actually pray together.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”  By “sharpening,” it means strengthening one’s faith, keeping them accountable in a Christian context.
If you’re a Christian and you can’t find that kind of friend, you truly are missing out on a valuable, positive influence in your life.  I hope you’ll make an effort to build that level of friendship: it will really will change your life.
