Elihu

Good friends are hard to come by. Take Elihu, for example. He doesn't show up until the end of Job, and yet he exhibits much patience and wisdom by the time he speaks to Job, unlike Job's other 3 friends. I also recognized that once Elihu was done speaking to Job, God spoke. What that says to me is that God was backing up what Elihu was saying...in other words, God was in agreement with what Elihu was saying.

As I read about Elihu on Friday morning, I wondered "who is my Elihu?" I tried to think of this person and that person, but my mind drew a blank. My work day, though long, was steady and productive, I hadn't thought much about my modern day Elihu, and the notion of identifying a similar friend in my life, slipped my mind. I didn't need anyone to call me out on pride, I had it all together...or so I thought.

Later Friday night, a good friend of mine came over to my home. This was her first time coming over since we moved, and it felt good to have her energy in the space. We had pizza, and we talked, and talked. She was very interested in my life, and knowing how to pray for me, sincerely. I spoke for what seemed to be an endless amount of time, and eventually my dear friend chimed in with wise words. 

Before she gave it to me straight, she hesitated, and apologized in advance if I hated her after she dropped the mic (I assured her that I would not hate her). Basically, regarding what I shared, she told me I was looking down on the person. That I was not supporting this person as I should. She advised me to give this person to God...to let him/her go...and give the person to God. To love this person no matter what, and she shared an example of how she had sought out doing the same, and the results of it.

I knew she was telling me the truth. As she spoke of being freed from her frustrations, once she committed this person to God, I could feel her peace. She radiated peace, joy, and love. Not judgment. Not control. She accepted that God was in control. There I sat, in awe of her maturity.

I was speechless...because my spirit knew she was right. I knew she was right. As the evening progressed, and she left I would soon realize that my friend was Elihu. That in my moment of pride, she was the person God chose to set me straight. To help humble me. And she did it, with love and gentleness.

...Good friends are hard to come by, and sometimes the words they have for us are hard to swallow, but I'd rather be hurt by honest words from a friend than a lie stated in "good intentions" from a stranger.