Do you ever worry if people really like you? For example, you may second guess how “likable” you are due to the number of followers you have on Instagram, how many likes you get on your posts, or how many views you get when you post a story or reel. Maybe your answer is “no, those things don’t really matter to me.” However, many have these kinds of thoughts cross their mind at some point.
When did social media become a means that defines you as a person?
And why has society begun to care so much about how they look instead of who they are?
Another factor you may think about is how you are portrayed by others at school or work.
Do you try to live up to a certain status of popularity or reputation?
Does having followers and being popular determine who you really are?
What you are truly looking for are friends who will love you for you. Yet, it is difficult to find that if all you do is post your good side and the good things about your life. I am not saying that you should put all your struggles out there on the internet, but it is good to be genuine about who you are. Anybody can post aesthetic life photos and have thousands of followers on instagram, but how many of those people are true friends. There is a difference between friends and acquaintances. Acquaintances are people you are familiar with who you may say hi to or have a casual conversation with. They are usually people that you have seen around, or that you have on social media, and you feel as though you are friends. However, true friends are ones who will be with you through the highs and lows of life. They know your likes and dislikes. They are those certain people you can share your good and bad news with, knowing that they will remain right by your side.
Let us look at an example of a great friendship in the Bible. It is the friendship between David and Jonathan. There is a lot we can learn from this friendship. First, here is some context. David was called by God to be the next king. The crazy thing is that Jonathan still became friends with David, although he could have chosen to be his enemy. You see, Jonathan’s dad, Saul, was the king, therefore Jonathan was next in line and was the rightful heir to the throne. But Jonathan’s character was greater than his ego. He supported David, knowing that God appointed him to be the next king instead. First Samuel 18:3 states, “Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul.” Wow, what a connection they had with each other! In fact, Jonathan eventually had to help save David from the king who was trying to kill him. I’m telling you the Bible could make a great movie, for it is insane how the stories are all true! Anyway, back to Jonathan and David. When Jonathan helped David escape, and they were saying bye, the Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 20:41 how David “fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times.” There was mutual respect between them. The verse goes on to say how “they wept with one another.” Jonathan was there for David the whole time and they shared some pretty dark moments. Even after Jonathan had passed, David still took care of the son he left behind. Their friendship ran deep.
You may read this and think “wow, I want a friend like that to do life with!” “They had such a strong bond!” Yes they did, and the biggest values they had in their friendship included being loyal, respectful, and genuine to each other. In order to find friends like that, you must show such values yourself.
Just like Jonathan, your character needs to be bigger than your ego (the number of followers you have, popularity you attain, and likes you get on a post).
Do you want to know what truly makes you rich in life? It is not the money you get from your video going viral or the money you get from your dream job after schooling. It is the connection and love you have for the people around you. People who you can really trust, and who allow you to be yourself. People who are there for you at the end of the day, even when you have make-up streaks on your face from crying. Also, notice in the story of David and Jonathan, they did not have a group of six, like on the show Friends. It was just the two of them and they were satisfied.
The point is that instead of looking for quantity of friends through popularity and social media, look for the quality of a friend.
One true friend, who is trustworthy and loyal, is all you really need. And if you don’t have one yet, look to Jesus! He is the best friend of all. He lived a perfect life and yet died a sinner's death on a cross to save you from your sins. John 15:13 states, “greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus cares for you like no other, accepts you for who you are, and is with you through all the highs and lows of life! Through His act of love, and His resurrection from the dead, you can always find a friend in Him!
