Scripture
Genesis 49:28
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him.
Observation
Jacob blessed his sons as he was dying–but his some of his words sound pretty harsh! “Reuben–you are unstable. Simeon and Levi–you are violent and unstable! Dan–you are cunning and vicious.”
These don’t sound like a blessing at first glance, and yet they are the words of a loving father who cared too much about his sons to let their character deficiencies destroy them.
His words were a blessing–not because they were gentle, but because they offered an opportunity for his sons to become something greater than what they were at that moment.
Application
There are people in my life who have been courageous enough to be a true friend–those who have pushed through the discomfort to speak the uncomfortable truth that I needed to hear. I’m grateful for their presence in my life, when I know their words are spoken from a heart of love.
It makes me consider though: Am I willing to be a true friend? Am I willing to speak the truth that I know has the potential to end a friendship, if the recipient decides to reject it?
It takes courage to be a true friend–but anything less is not real friendship at all. It takes courage to love–but anything less is not real love at all. It seems almost self-contradictory, but the truest test of love is whether I am willing to risk an end in the relationship if my offer is rejected.
…but this is the same as God’s love for me. His love doesn’t merely smooth over my flaws to make me feel better: His love challenges me with the hardest truths I’ll ever face, so that I can become something more than what I am today.
Today I choose to be a true friend–not to merely make people feel better, but to offer the risky kind of love which compels a decision to either accept or reject the truth it carries.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of what true love looks like. Teach me to show genuine love to those around me: Not to merely make people comfortable, but to offer the loving kind of discomfort which inspires those around me to become more like you. Keep my heart teachable before you, so that I would always be willing to receive the loving discomfort of the true friends you’ve given me.
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