It takes work to move regular friendships to authentic friendships as men. It is not easy to break down the walls of performance, achievement and success. We’ve worked hard to prove ourselves, to construct an image of accomplishment, to create a wall of stability.
But authentic friendship comes when we humble ourselves in front of our friends by showing them our undisguised and unguarded brokenness. Our flaws and failures. Our mistakes and fears. Authenticity is countercultural, but it as also what we do as Jesus followers.
1 Peter 5:6 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
My friend Quincy and i have developed an authentic friendship over the past 3 years. We live 4 hours away from each other, but we have committed to talking by phone once a week to invest in our relationship. One of the most valuable things that we have put into play in our weekly conversation is a time of confession. We confess to each other those things we’ve messed up; the situations we screwed up; the relationships that still need to be reconciled. .Quincy and I have recognized that our regular confession to each other keeps us surrendered before God and keeps God in front of our challenges instead of us trying to push thru on our own. Regular confession has also kept us grounded with God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).
James 5:16 NIV Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
