In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Solomon gives us three unifying cords that build a friendship that can not be broken:
Two are better than one, because they have a good more satisfying reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
1. Cord # 1 Is to be this kind of friend. We can't expect to have a loyal friendship if we are not committed to being a loyal friend to others.
2. Cord # 2 Is to seek this kind of friendship through an active social life. This involves a social investment on our part. As Solomon suggests, "woe to him who is alone." Friendship involves an investment of time.
3. Cord # 3 is the presence of Christ. Mysteriously, Solomon concludes that two dedicated friends become a "threefold cord," which is not "quickly broken." How do two become three? This happens when they are both dedicated believers who bring the strength of the Lord to their friendship.
(Dr. Mitchell Dillon, founder of Illustration Exchange)
"It is common knowledge" reports Military-History.org, "that infamous Russian dictator Joseph Stalin prohibited his guards from entering his private bed chambers on pain of death."
One day, in a test of their resilience, Stalin decided to scream as if in great agony. When his loyal guards came to their master’s aid, they were duly executed for failing to follow orders.
When Stalin did actually endure a paralyzing seizure, whilst alone in his bedroom, none of his guards dared to come to his aid, on the fear of very tangible reprisals. He was later found semi-conscious by Peter Lozgachev, Deputy Commandant of Kuntsevo, on the floor of the room. He died within a week.
When we hold people at arms distance, we shouldn't be surprised when they don't draw close, even when we really need them to.
We can't expect loyalty from others short of pursuing open and honest relationship with them.
"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude" (1 Peter 3:8).
The average life span of a Major League baseball is only 7 pitches. In tennis, balls are changed out after every 7 games. The reasons are similar for both. Dirt, moisture, the oil from the players’ hands all serve to effect the way the balls handle and perform. Seems some things in life lose their usefulness pretty quickly.
Sadly, the same can be said for people. As soon as they fail to perform to our specs we quickly toss them aside. Don’t treat the people in your life like a baseball, discarding them after just 7 pitches.