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Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Need to be Loved

Data detailing peoples’ greatest fears highlight an inability to purchase food or provide a home, followed by a need for active relationships. Maslow, in his hierarchy of needs, places care as priorities 1–3. They include our physiological and safety needs along with our need to be loved. We’re social by instinct. God created Eve, for being alone isn’t healthy. Lockdown has shown that loss of social interaction harms our mental health.

As with all friendships, the deeper they go, the more is demanded of each of us. This can prove daunting, yet we find a way to move on together because of that bond of Friendship.

Forging Meaningful Friendships

Friendships are organic. They take shape and morph naturally over time. There is no formula on how to establish effective friendships. Any such attempts arise from a need to control the Friendship to my advantage. That’s not Friendship, but a transaction. All friendships take time to establish. They’re subject to misunderstandings, periods of distance and dispute, an unwillingness to change and constant demands. Yet, such challenges forge a meaningful friendship.

Eternal Bond of Friendship

As with all friendships, the deeper they go, the more is demanded of each of us. This can prove daunting, yet we find a way to move on together because of that bond of Friendship. So Friendship lies at the heart of God’s appeal to us. Recognising mortal life is short, God invites us to enter into an eternal friendship. One that reaches beyond the grave.

So, Friendship lies at the heart of God’s appeal to us. Recognising mortal life is short,
God invites us to enter into an eternal friendship.

It’s why God gives us so much room. God has no desire or intention to control us. Instead, God recognises that we need the freedom to choose both to enter into Friendship with God and the depth of Friendship we desire.

Every day affords a new and exciting opportunity to discover more of both God and ourselves.


[This article originally appeared in EDWJ Devotional. The article has been edited and published on BT.]

Micha Jazz is Director of Resources at Waverley Abbey, UK.