THE WAY OF LIFE
October 29, 2026God is the one who conceived this beautiful relationship called friendship. Friends are meant to fill a special vacuum in our hearts by ushering in “companionship” into our lives. I wonder if we have noticed – marriage and every other relationship lasts on this very same principle called companionship, in simpler words, friendship; every other aspect of a healthy marriage stems from this very root called friendship. Is it not one of the primary reasons – the desire of our Creator to have “friendship” with someone who is like Him – for the Almighty God in creating man?
– “26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27
– “God created us for one reason: to know Him and love Him and have fellowship with Him…Adam and Eve loved God and had unbroken fellowship with Him. They not only lived in a perfect world, but they had perfect fellowship with their Creator.” – Billy Graham
While making friends and being friends with people during our lifetime, we come across a very special kind of people, who choose to stick with us no matter what, and stay the whole course of life, despite our flaws, failings and faults; yet uncompromising in their morals, values and ethics. Such people are called TRUE FRIENDS and such a friendship is godly friendship, as originally conceived and intended by the LORD our Creator.
– “‘THERE ARE FRIENDS IN LIFE, AND THERE ARE FRIENDS FOR LIFE.’ Some people come into our lives for a moment, bringing smiles, laughter, and short memories. They teach us what presence feels like, even if their stay is brief. Then, there are those rare souls who stay through every season. Their friendship feels steady, built through love, loyalty, and shared moments that time cannot erase.” – Anonymous
Francis Michael is such a friend to me. His uncompromising love, his fierce loyalty, and his commitment to honour our friendship is unparalleled. One may find times where I may have failed him, but there would not be any on Francis’ part. Such is his fierceness in being my friend. I have told Francis Michael many times in the last couple of years, that he is a gift from God Himself to me. I feel terribly small compared to this God given FRIEND and BROTHER. He has proved time and again Proverbs 17:17 and 18:24.
– “17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
– “24…But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24
The pain of losing such a friend and a dear brother is unfathomable. Anyone who knows Francis Michael will say the same. For such is this man. If Francis had the opportunity to speak with me today, he would say, “Don’t worry, all things will work for our good…because God is with us” – firmly basing his words from Romans 8:28. He has repeated these words so many times in my life.
Francis does not display his faith in the LORD Jesus publicly. He is not a “standardised” Christian believer, like we normally prefer to see. Yet, he is deeply committed to the LORD Jesus, and loves him intensely. He would happily volunteer to play music, which is his God given talent, in any Christian ministry event – big or small does not bother him.
I am always grateful to God for giving me this friend, my dear brother – a precious gift to me. I will surely miss him. There are many like me. But we are not left in a hopeless situation by our LORD Jesus. The Word of God shouts out loudly and clearly…
– “14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:14
– “16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
I eagerly look forward to the day when we will all see our loved ones. One of the first persons I will be looking forward to meeting is Francis Michael, my friend and my dear brother. Till then, I will praise and thank the LORD Jesus for giving me the honour of being called Francis Michael’s friend for more than 30 years till date. All glory, praise and thanks be to the LORD our Creator and Redeemer, forever and ever.
