Best Friends Forever?

Friendship is a very important component in ministry. David and Jonathan are examples of friends on Divine assignment. We must be careful to select friendships that glorify God. Relationship is a core factor in the lives of Biblical people as well as our lives today. How we handle our relationships is a reflection of our character, integrity, and trust. There are seasons in our lives when we must transition from old relationships into new ones. This also applies to dance ministers.

As we travel and minister together with various dancers and groups, friendships and associations are formed that can last for years. We may form even closer friendships with those in our own dance group. As we grow and develop over time, people get married, go off to college, have children, or just grow apart. We may even experience the death of a fellow dance ministry member. When we accept this as reality, we will not take the transition personally, but be able to rejoice as life opens new doors in the lives of others. We must resist the urge to hold on to people to the point that we hinder them (and ourselves) from moving forward.

Some key things to remember when relationships end is to love without fail. When we place the Lord's will above our personal feelings, we will be confident in knowing that He is a Repairer. Even in the unfortunate circumstances that may end relationships negatively, we must continue to show spiritual maturity and remain pure in word, thought, and deed. When relationships change, we must not force them to last beyond the intended season. If our reason for dancing is rooted on Christ the Solid Rock, we will continue to flourish in ministry in spite of the changes that may come.

Genesis 13:11-12 (NKJV)
Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.

Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV)
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 22:24-25 (NKJV)
Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.