7.17.2009

Friends

"In friendship . . . we think we have chosen our peers. In reality, a few years difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another. . . the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting -- any of these chances might have kept us apart. But for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciple "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another." The friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding each another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of others." (C.S. Lewis)

I'm quite sure I have posted this quote before, but it was long ago and it has been on my mind again lately. As I muse about my life, there are so many things that seem to have happened by chance, whether it is the fact of meeting someone that the likelihood of it happening seems low, the actuality of living somewhere seemingly completely foreign to you and your experience in life, or being able to find common ground with someone that truly surprises you. It's pretty amazing to find someone either a fair bit older than you or younger and become great friends. You wonder why would that be - after all, with an age difference that great, it probably shouldn't have happened.

The concept of the "Master of Ceremonies" is a sweet one to me -- because that's exactly what is in place. He is our Master, He does know us and love us, and He puts us in places where we can learn to know and love others.

And I am grateful.

photo by Greg Olsen

9 comments:

Carrie and Nathan said...

Jan! Thanks for this thought, I love CS Lewis. I absolutely love reading what's going on in your life, too. Thanks for your friendship, it means so much.

Beth and Shae said...

Thanks for that qoute today. You are a remarkable example of friendship to me and have been for many years. It doesn't matter how much time may have passed since we have seen one another, you always send encouraging words and bring a smile to my face when I get a message from you. I know I am not alone in saying thanks for your friendship and love.

icefairy said...

What a great blog you have! Thanks for stopping by my site and commenting!

Hacking it up said...

I love that quote! And I love you! I am certain the master of ceremonies places us in each others lives to support and uplift--no matter the age! :)

Jori said...

Thanks Jan! You always have such amazing insights. I'm glad that we have met through blogging. You have always been so supportive and sweet and I really appreciate you!

Mia said...

I love to look back and see those "chance" moves/moments/friends and simply know that the Lord was at work in my life. Those moments give me the greatest understanding that the Lord knows me individually. Beautiful thoughts.

Ashley said...

i love this post! thank you!

jenjamin said...

I am glad you are my friend! smooches!

Phogles said...

I absolutely believe it. What a beautiful quote. I could never have said it that poetically.