How To Have and Be A 2 AM Friend

Getting a new phone is exciting. I’m in the process of getting one and was backing things up to my microSD card. While doing that, I looked through my pictures on my old phone and found this picture of what my car looked like after meeting a deer on the highway last fall.

I walked away with barely a scratch, the car did not.

I was reminded of the great friends I have.

During the days after the deer meetup, I was trying to get things resolved with the insurance company. Two of my friends came to my rescue by offering me the use of their extra car until I could get a rental.

I was reminded of two things: God is good and I have great friends.

God Is Good

When I look at the damage done to my car by the deer, I am amazed that I was relatively unhurt.

Sure the right half of my body was covered in safety glass and I was sore; but it could have been so much worse.

I was the only one in the car and had I been a fraction of a second earlier, the deer would have slammed into my side of the car.

Some will say that hitting the deer was back luck. Others will say that I was lucky to walk away unhurt.

I agree with Obi-Wan that “in my experience, there’s no such thing as luck.”

There is only God’s providence. Since God is good, He can redeem anything to help out His children.

The crashed was a reminder that God is good and that I have great friends.

Having Great Friends

I’m not the type of person that has a lot of friends. I have many people in my life that are “Facebook friend” and acquaintances. But when it comes down to people that I could call at 2 AM to help me out, I only have a few.

While my car was hit at 9 PM and not 2 AM, I was reminded that the two guys I texted the next day, would not have hesitated to help me out, regardless of the time.

My situation reminded me of the beginning of Empire Strikes Back, when the Rebels are hiding on the ice planet of Hoth. When Han is told by C3P0 that no one can find Luke, Han eventually decides that he will to go out on a Tauntaun to look for Luke.

[Tweet “Sir, the temperature’s dropping too rapidly. That’s right. And my friend’s out in it.”]

In John 15:12, Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment. He tells them that they must love one another as He has loved them.

How did Jesus show His love for His disciples?

He poured His life into theirs for nearly three years teaching them. He taught them what it meant to be disciples of His. During the Passover meal, He washed their feet. He would soon endure a severe beating and then would die on a cross for them (and for us all).

What do we know of Han’s relationship with Luke?

We know that it started out a bit rocky. Luke wasn’t impressed with Han’s ship. Han thought the kid was naive to believe in the Force. Luke thought Han was in things only for the money and himself. Han has a change of heart and comes back just in time to save Luke’s life so that Luke can destroy the Death Star.

These two men have shared life together. They have become very close.

When no one can find Luke, Han’s initial response is one of annoyance. Once he realized that something is truly wrong, he buckles down and puts his safety on the line as he heads out to find Luke in freezing temperatures.

How To Have and Be A 2 AM Friend

Do you have 2 A.M. friends? Are your a 2 A.M. friend?

When we share a strong bond with another, especially through faith in Jesus, we become a true friend.

We have heard stories of military service men and women who have been through extreme situations that have become 2 A.M. friends. This holds true for EMS, fire fighters, police, and more.

Why do these folks have strong bonds? They are in situations where they might actually live out John 15:13.

Most of us will never be in a situation where were would need to demonstrate the level of love that Jesus is calling us to in John 15:13.

We can live out the spirit of this verse in less dramatic ways.

Turning to Scripture, we see dozens of ways we can live out this verse.

Here are my top 5:
1. Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
2. Forgive each other (Colossians 3:13)
3. Encourage one another by faithful participation in your local body (Hebrews 10:25)
4. Love not in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
5. Bear one another’s sin burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Need some practical ways of living those out?

Why not try:
• There’s no time like the present to say “I love you.” Tell someone today, right now.
• Leave someone an unexpected thank you note or note of encouragement.
• Admit when you are wrong (without being prompted).
• Be a person of your word and do what you say you’re going to do.
• Be generous with compliments and slow to criticize.
• Hold onto a hug one moment longer than expected.
• When someone is on your mind, call them or send them a text, email, or message letting them know.
• Pray with someone (right then and there when you say “I’ll prayer for you, why don’t we do it now as well.)

Which one are you going to implement today?

The odds of the recipient feeling loved are much better than 775 to 1.