A Path Among the Rocks

“He had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and now He loved them to the very end.”  John 13:1 (NLT)

If you’ve ever watched the Star Wars movies (the early ones), you can probably feel in your heart those scenes of heartbreak in the later movies when Princess Leia died.  There is one scene that was so well done that it brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.  When Chewbacca got the news, that Princess Leia had died, he went to his knees and cried out a long, mournful cry.  It’s heartbreaking to watch someone whose heart is broken over the loss of their dearest friend.  You can only relate to that sentiment if you have watched those early movies and understood the relationships that those characters formed over many years and through many trials and triumphs.  Great storytelling there, because, while the main theme of the Star Wars movie saga is good versus evil, there’s a beautiful thread throughout those old movies about friendships forged over years of going through difficult circumstances together. 

There is something to be said for relationships that are forged over a life time, through thick and thin, good and bad.  Happy and sad.  Furious and calm.  Friendships that know all the secrets and “less than stellar” behaviors, reactions, and words.  Friends that don’t walk away, even when things are at their worst for you. 

It’s a true gift to know that, even at your worst, you have a friend that will be in your corner and on your side, no matter what.    

The disciples had that type of relationship with Jesus.  Even through all of their faults and failures, Jesus was devoted to them.  Stuck by them, gave them the benefit of the doubt and loved them.  And in the end, they were that type of friend to Him as well.  History tells us that most of the disciples were martyred for the sake of the gospel.  Dying horrible deaths but remaining committed to their Friend to the very end of their lives.  Just as He was to them as our verse above tells us.

When we think about those types of deep friendships or relationships, if we’re candidly honest, we probably don’t tend to put Jesus into that top 3 category of our “ride or die” relationships.  The definition of “ride or die” is: “someone who is intensely loyal and supportive, especially in close relationship or friendship. It implies a willingness to stand by someone through thick and thin, even in our difficult or challenging situations.  The term suggests unwavering dedication and a bond where one person is completely devoted to another.”

I am lucky that my sister and my brothers and I have that ride or die commitment to each other.  Without disclosing details, I can tell you that one of my siblings had the potential for a conflict many years ago, and before I knew it, I was in full combat mode, ready to get out and fight in a parking lot if that’s what it came to for us.  If my sibling was in a situation, then I was in that situation with them all the way.  I wouldn’t have done well fighting in a parking lot, but that part didn’t matter to me.  Defending and supporting my sibling was all that mattered.  Ride or die. 

Ruth and Naomi didn’t fight in parking lots of course, but Ruth told her mother-in-law that where she went, Ruth went (Ruth 1:16) because of her commitment to Naomi.  Theirs is a beautiful example of that type of commitment and is much more graceful than my commitment to fight in a parking lot, but you get that idea. 

Now, don’t worry, there were no fights in any parking lots, but that’s the kind of commitment that these types of friendships reflect.  That’s a rare find in this day and time where people are shallow friends for five minutes and then move on to the next person who is popular at the moment on social media or social circles. 

Jesus was the original ride or die friend, and still is for us.  He ain’t no drive by preacher who shakes your hand on Sunday and then disappears until the following Sunday.  Jesus is here with me right now.  And He’s there with you, wherever this finds you, right now.  And He stays.

I have had a few rough weeks with a lot of stress.  This seems to be the Summer of Stress for me.  Have you ever had those seasons where it just seems that stress is sky high in every area of your life?  Even in this Summer of Stress season, I can say that the one constant I’ve had through my stressful days is Jesus. 

When I’m at my worst, and I’ve had a few of those days, Jesus hasn’t bashed me or condemned me – but He hasn’t let me get away with bad behavior either.  He is a constant, steady rock for me, and I know that I can talk to Him at any time about anything. 

There isn’t anything that I’ve ever done or ever will do that Jesus doesn’t already know about.  What makes my life richer and more complete is truly understanding that He is for me no matter what, and that nothing can stand against me (Romans 8:31) because of Him and His protection over me.  And even if He needs to discipline me, He is doing that out of love for me (Hebrews 12:6). There is a comfort and security in knowing that, no matter what happens in my life, Jesus is going to be there with me through every step of it. 

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20(b)

The secret to ride or die relationships is that it’s a two-way street.  Our part is honestly getting to that place where we trust Jesus to be that type of friend to us.  That ride or die, through thick or thin.  The only way that we can get to that level of trust with Jesus is to get to know Him better.  

If we knew that Jesus is the One that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).  If we knew that He already knows us completely (Psalm 139:1-3), how we were formed in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), and has all the days of our life written in his book (Psalm 139:16).  If we really, truly knew and believed these things well enough that they become our immediate, instinctive reaction to whatever comes our way, I believe that it would change our lives—for the better. 

Knowing Jesus in this most intimate way is not going to remove the stresses and struggles of this life.  Jesus told us that in advance in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  We’re going to have the struggles and troubles, but how much better to go through those life experiences with your ride or die by your side. 

I would challenge you to give Him a chance to be that friend to you.  He’s so ready to stand in the gap for you (Hebrews 7:25), to comfort, carry and strengthen you – with no judgment, only love (John 12:47).

Proactive:  Romans 8:31-32 – What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? 

Defensive:  Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Promise:  Jeremiah 31:3(b) – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”