The Value of Friendship By Jerod Trotti

“Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joys and dividing our grief.”

— Cicero

I’ve been in the fellowship program for nearly seven weeks now, and I have been greatly blessed to be part of such a wonderful program. I’ve enjoyed the seminars, events, retreats, and roundtables, but the thing that surprises me most is that I can call these people my friends.

Going into the program, I wasn’t sure how well the group would gel. During the first week of actually meeting the fellows, I couldn’t help but notice how different each fellow was. A part of me was wondering if this would all fall apart but upon further observation my doubts were relieved by the strange respect we held for one another. Different personalities, theological preferences, majors, artistic tastes, goals, and life experiences were all represented in the same room, yet we shared Christ in common (Acts 2:44). Christ has not only transformed us individually but also the way we relate to one another.

Developing good friendships has not always come easily to me, especially before coming to Christ. I always felt a bit like a lone wolf in life, and perhaps I started to believe the lie that I didn’t need close friends. It wasn’t until late high school and college that I began to see the value of having other people, especially fellow believers, walk alongside me—to listen to me, laugh with me, weep with me, and let me receive their help (I confess I struggle with this last one the most).

Friendship is a delightful sacrifice of love by which you are willing to give yourself away for the highest good of another. In recent times, I have come to realize that this is something I must actively participate in, rather than merely expect from others.

Throughout the fellowship, I have been trying to think about how I can make the very best of this time, and I have discovered that the answer mostly comes down to how I can best get to know and honor those around me. Whether that means eating and cleaning with my host family, playing games with the seniors at youth group, or sitting down at a coffee shop with another fellow, I have come to understand that being present and available is well worth the effort. I want to give myself away because Christ gave Himself for me and for those sitting next to me at round table every Monday evening.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

— Romans 12:10 (ESV)