The Importance of Having Christian Brothers

There are these guys in my life. Although we are not actually related, they are my brothers. In fact, in some ways, they are closer than blood. Josh, Cody, Brennen, Tim, and Kenny. They are what make me the man of God that I am today. I have relied on them over the years (some longer than others), confided in them what I could with no one else, kept them accountable, they have kept me accountable, I have been honest with them, and they with me. I can’t even begin to tell you how awesome each of them are and how much they have blessed me. Of all of them, the one I am closest to is without a doubt, Josh. When I first met him, it seemed that I had nothing in common with him, couldn’t relate to him, and would never really get close to him, but God had something else in mind. He has been such a friend to me and I owe so much to him. I can’t even begin to imagine what my spiritual walk would be without him as my friend. I know without a shadow of doubt that as long as we are both alive, we will remain friends and be there for each other. Sure, we have squabbles, but who doesn’t? He is a true friend to me and I am so blessed that God has put him in my life. I have been friends with Brennen the longest and he has been there for me since the beginning. When I first really gave my life over to Christ halfway through my Freshman year, I walked up to him and told him that I had prayed for him the night before for no specific reason. It seemed that the idea was as alien to him as it had been to me, but he later told me that he had had a huge fight with his dad that night. Because of that, we were almost instantly connected. Tim has been a guy that I have looked up to for a couple of years. He is a studly runner, an excellent student, and a mighty warrior for God. We went on a mission trip together to Guatemala and became really close. Cody had been in my Discipleship group at church and to be honest, I could never remember his name. I always thought it was Kyle or something. But we were never really friends until we went on the Harvest SWAT Trip to the Anaheim Crusade in 2006 that we became close. We spent most of our down time hanging out and talking and sat next to each other on the bus. Cody is now one of my closest friends and there is nothign I wouldn't do for him. Kenny, I have known for the shortest amount of time. We met through a mutual friend (Heather) at church. We went witnessing together with the SWAT Team (Students With A Testimony) and got to know each other well through SWAT and the Loft. He is a blessing, and a true friend. I owe so much to each of these guys and wish I could show them just how awesome they are and how grateful I am for each of them. Each of them have blessed me in different ways and that’s why even though I am closer to some than others and talk to some more than others, they are all my Brothers and I consider them the most influential people in my life. If you're reading this, guys, I love you. Thank you. We all need people in our lives who we can look up to and respect, people who we can disciple, and people who we can confide in. A wise man once said that, “Everyone needs a Paul to get advice from, a Timothy to give advice to, and a Barnabas to share advice with.” These brothers are my Barnabas’s. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 makes it clear that it is better to have close friends who you can confide in because if you fall in a sin, that friend can pick you back up and help you get back on the right track and help you to not do it again. Proverbs 24:12 says that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. These friends are so important in our lives and in our walk with Christ.