I want you tell me about your friends – your closest friends.

What makes those people your closest friends? Is it that you have a lot a common? Maybe you grew up together? Maybe they’ve been there for you through some really tough times? Or perhaps you just have a dang good time when you are together.

But tell me, do your friends care about your soul?

I know, I know, nothing like cutting straight to the point, but it’s a serious question. I’ve had all different kinds of friendships in my nearly 36 years of life, and I’ve noticed something about the friendships that stand the test of time. The friendships that have depth and substance to them are the ones where there is a mutual care and concern for each other’s soul.

We are immensely shaped by the company we keep. Don’t you want to surround yourself with friends that lovingly help you on your journey because they actually care about something deeper than the exterior? Don’t you want to surround yourself with friends that gently challenge you with Truth even when it’s hard to hear?

At the end of the day, if you want your life’s journey to get you to Heaven, why wouldn’t you want to surround yourself with the kind of people that are willing to help get you there?

The beautiful thing about that is they need your help in return. That is what true friendship is all about.

Friendships of this world can often turn out to be toxic friendships. Those kind of friendships (rather, false friendships) work sort of in the same way Satan does. First they might share a common interest, then they spend some time with you, before long you start to realize that the time spent is not necessarily in ways that build you up, sometimes they even persuade you to go against your better judgement, and usually they are willing to drop you in an instant for something or someone ‘better’. Those kind of ‘friends’ don’t care about your heart, they don’t care about your soul, and they don’t care about your genuine, authentic self.

Think hard about the friendships you keep. Think hard about the kind of friend that you are. Strive for holy friendships.