When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
Job 2:12-13
What does it mean to be a friend? In today's world, I fear that much of friendship has been boiled down to common interests, mutual financial benefit, and "nice" conversations that rarely scratch the surface of the soul. True friendship is far more robust. Job having lost everything was in the depths of despair, covered in sores and sitting in the ashes of his life, with none to support him. His own wife told him to curse God and die. And then come Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophaz to come in comfort their friend in silences. They wait... and wait.... silent for seven days, waiting for their friend to speak.
I remember a time when I sat in the empty church building of my youth. Everyone had gone home and I sat alone praying. It was silent. At 23 my circumstances and choices in life had brought me to a place where I felt alone, defeated, a failure. A dear friend and father figure in my life, pastor Glen Carlson, came and sat beside me silently for a long time as I cried. He didn't offer advice or even tell me things would be okay. He just sat with his arm around my shoulder, showing me that I wan't alone.
Presence is an incredible power. While Job's friends may not have had the best perspective on his circumstances, they cared for their friend enough to sit silently with him in his grief and confusion. This is a far thicker form of friendship than much of what we see on our TV, internet and movies. John tells us that Jesus came and "made his home among us" giving us the gift of presence. It was Jesus sitting face-to-face on a beach with Peter that brought the failed disciple back into his calling. In the same was It was Jesus, who ministered through Glen's presence with me and began great healing process.
From whom are we present? Even if we have missed the mark in the past, could we be present for them today; a friend, a family member, a neighbor, the checker at the grocery store? Even now, as I write these words, my daughter sleeps beside me. Lord, help me to always be present for her, and for all you bring in our paths whom you wish to love and befriend.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
