Learn About Them
Remember the game 20 Questions? It’s the game where one player
has a person, place, or thing in mind, and then the other game players have to
guess what the person is thinking by asking questions. The goal is to figure it
out in 20 questions or less. Well, one of the ways that we grow in intimacy
with a friend is to ask and answer questions. We may ask about history, family
dynamics, travels, likes and dislikes, beliefs, and a whole host of other
things. And, ideally, as we learn more about one another, we grow to value,
honor, and respect one another’s “story”. “Much of the vitality in a friendship
lies in the honoring of differences, not simply in the enjoyment of
similarities.” (Unknown) Your friend likes to run and you like mountain biking?
You are an avid swimmer and your friend is scared of the water? You can respect
these differences and support one another in them.
As I said in part 5, regarding studying God: In the pursuit
of intimacy, knowledge of who that person is is essential. There is no intimacy
without truly knowing someone. Revealing the self can be scary. Allowing
yourself to be known can be uncomfortable. The revealing of sin can be terrifying!
But it can also be restorative and intriguing and bring about a sense of security in the
relationship as you respond to one another with grace and camaraderie. In your
friendship, ask questions, and be interested in the answers - the things that
make this friend unique, allow yourself to be known, risk being transparent, value
one another, and have fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment