I think of the deep friendships I have had over the years. I know how my friendships shaped who I am, the values that I share, the dreams that I dream.

My best friend in college certainly had more to do with the focus of my future than any of my professors. Our late night bull sessions, when we shared our hopes and dreams, our fears and failures, were far more influential than any class I took.

In seminary, it was my friendship with others that shaped the style of my ministry today far more than the Augsburg Confession or my study of the Nicene Creed.

Today is our wedding anniversary, thirty-first at the time of this writing, and I can say without equivocation that my friendship with my wife has brought deep meaning, purpose and enormous joy into my life. Her gentle persuasion, her constant love, her rich humor, have molded me over the years more than any college course ever could.

It is these friendships, sacred and fragile as they are that make us who we are.

It is with this very same image that I understand my relationship with God.

Before I make decisions, before I choose this path or that, I find myself asking whether such a decision will help or hurt my relationship...be it with a friend, with my wife or with my God.

My journey of faith is a journey of friendship. With each impending decision, I ask myself...will this contribute to my friendship with God?

If I think it will, I do it. If not, I don’t...or, at least, I try not to.

It isn’t a perfect plan to be sure, but overall it has worked well for our relationship with each other and, I dare say, with our God.