What is the true meaning of friendship?
 In his latest column, Norwich local government officer, author and Proclaimers church member, James Knight, looks at the subject of friendship and what it means.
For this week’s message, I would like to touch upon the subject of friendship. And it should be admitted that this message is as much for me (maybe more so), as it is for any of you.
In the first place, we all know that many human activities are encroached upon by the very purposes which they are intended to serve. A sportsman can fail to win because the pressure of winning is so great that it affects his performance. A gambler can become very poor because he is trying so hard to be very rich. One who tries too hard to be in love cannot really enjoy the true benefits of love itself.
And I want to encourage us all that friends in their over-abundant multiplicity can encroach upon friendships, unless we treasure each person as an individual; that is, we delight in them and appreciate them personally as well as collectively.
I know that time itself, and all those preoccupations that come with it, constantly obstruct the pleasure of appreciation. But we are told that nothing is too much for us - we are told that we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
I personally, am more enthused about what is going on now that I have been at any time previously. This wide circle that we have come to love is at its peak of growth, and it really looks like a big difference can be made on this city and beyond. But what does it all mean if any of us forgets what friendship really is?
 Some people fight so hard for peace that they become fiends themselves. Some fight so hard for equality that they become tyrannical. And equally, as good as it is that we can help change people’s lives; let us never forget that we are doing it, primarily, for the very same reason that Christ did it for us. Because His love for each one of us is equal to His love for all of us.
With love we always have hope. We are told that love (of which friendship is a constituent part) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, and never fails.
(1 Corinthians 13:7-8).
Quote of the week - here is one of my all-time favourites.
If spring came but once in a century, instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake, and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change! But now the silent succession suggests nothing but necessity. To most men only the cessation of the miracle would be miraculous and the perpetual exercise of God's power seems less wonderful than its withdrawal would be.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
We welcome your thoughts and comments, below, upon the ideas expressed here, which are intended to stimulate debate. You can contact the author at james.knight@norfolk.gov.uk
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