The Friends Who Tag Along

The chorus to this year’s Passport Camp Theme song goes like this: 

Following Jesus isn’t a race; it’s a long walk, so there is plenty of time to make friends along the way. We’re not in a rush and shouldn’t act like it. When someone asks how we are, we should stop saying we are busy. That seems self-important and shuts down the opportunity for conversation. Reality check: we all make time for what/who is important to us.

Our friends, family and Christian community are vitally important as we follow the road.  Jesus traveled with a group of trusted friends – males and females who gave up their expected lives, work and families, to follow Jesus with nothing but the clothes on their backs.  Jesus counted on them, prayed with them, explained things to them.  Sometimes Jesus got frustrated with them.  But some of them were with him on his darkest day. Like Jesus, we all need community. We need a place to belong, and we need to offer a place of belonging to others.

Opening our lives to others can make us vulnerable – people will take advantage of our generosity, some will consume and then disappear. But as followers of the Jesus Road, those reactions shouldn’t change our behavior. Jesus says give anyway. Go the extra mile. Luke 6, “If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them.” Kind of goes against the grain doesn’t it? As Americans, we are taught to be self-reliant. If we work hard, then what we gain is ours and we don’t have to share. Reality check: we give to what/who is important to us.

Even if we find ourselves with the majority on issues related to the poor, the outcast, or the stranger, we should consider who Christ would stand with.  Here’s what I think:  Jesus would be standing with the poor, the abused, the children and those without a voice… every time.

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David Burroughs

David Burroughs is the president & founder of of Passport, Inc.