Friendliness Is Fun!

An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends;he defies all sound judgment.

Proverbs 18:1 (NIV)

Our topic today is unfriendliness. It’s interesting that here we’re told unfriendliness is selfish, and it’s not good judgment either. As it has been said, “A life wrapped up in itself makes a very small package.”

And God agrees. God created us to love and need people (not in an unhealthy way, not in a way that puts people above God). Jesus said, “All will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, NKJV).

In 1964 Barbra Streisand sang a song called “People”: “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world. We’re children needing other children, and yet letting our grown-up pride hide all the need inside, acting more like children than children.”

Ladies, let’s be friendly. This can be a lonely world. Wouldn’t it be nice if just by being friendly today we could make someone’s day? Here are some random little friendly things to do.

• Look at the name tag on the waitresses or checkers at the store and say hi to them by name. Ask them if they know that God loves them.
• Tell somebody today that they’re right, or they’re smart, or they did a good job.
• Smile at someone who looks lonely—an elderly woman, a weary mom.
• And here’s a good one: let someone go ahead of you when you’re stopped in traffic.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Now let me give you a few tips on going from friendliness to relationship. I love going to church. I love the worship and the teaching. And I love seeing God’s people. But most of us know we can stay very shallow and really not know anyone. Let’s be intentional. This Sunday, put a little notepad in the back of your Bible for the express purpose of learning a new name. While you’re at it, ask the person you meet for a prayer request too. Then through the week pray for the person by name. If you do that every week for three months, you will know twelve new names. More important, you will have invested in lives with prayer. Now that’s being friendly.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Kings 10:32–12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1