“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Pro. 12:26 (NIV)
To accomplish our role as skiers and snowboarders for Christ and bridge the gap between snow shredders and Jesus, we must connect with shredders and build significant relationships with them. However, we must be wary of the fact that if we can have impact on them, they can have impact on us.
Snow shredders live fun lives, but they are often destructive lives too. Satan finds sneaky ways to use this fun-filled lifestyle to sidetrack us from the ultimate goal and try to encourage us down the wrong path. He wants non-Christian friends to create temptations and rub off on us. Remember SFC’s Identity value: “We enjoy the laid-back lifestyle and relate within the culture, yet we remain obedient to God’s word and find our eternal identity in Him.” Although we can have friendships outside our faith, the deepest relationships should be with our fellow Christians to keep reminding us what track to follow and to hold us accountable. Proverbs 13:20 advises we “walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (NIV).
While it is very important for us to shape relationships within our shred community, we must be careful how we interact with people. Consider the activities you do when hanging out with these friends, the things you talk about, and how deeply you get involved with such people. For example, do you hang out with your buddies behind the trees as they smoke a joint, condoning such behaviour? If you do say something, do your friends respect and support your choices and views? Consider the reasons behind each friendship you have and if these friendships glorify Christ and show who you are in Him.
Challenge
Are your non-Christian friends negatively affecting your relationship with God? Are your interactions with these people leading to temptation, perhaps without you noticing it at the time?
On the other hand, do you get angry or upset when Christian friends correct you and share wisdom?
Bring your friends up in prayer before God, asking what he wants for each relationship and how to build up that relationship in the right way to glorify Him.
By Naomi Macfarlane | Wanaka, New Zealand