Treasure Your Friendships

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

In the bustle of law school, it is easy to turn inwards. We forget about everything except the outline we need to complete, the paper we need to write, and the notes we still need to study. As a result, our relationships, and particularly our friendships, are often placed near the bottom on the priority list. But this is a mistake.

Not only is maintaining our friendships of practical importance for our mental and social well-being, the Bible has a lot to say on the subject. We are called, first and foremost, to love our friends. Proverbs 17:17 tells us that “A friend loves at all times,” and John 15:13 declares that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their friends. Second, we are called to pray for our friends. Job 42:10 tells us that after Job “had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” Third, we are called to encourage our friends. First Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing,” and Ecclesiastes 4:10 reads “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

As Christians, we are blessed with friendships to help us along the way. To offer encouragement, support, and strength in difficult times. But we must also remember to make time for providing these to others. Although law school and the practice of law provide many opportunities to be busy, part of living the Christian life requires that we devote some of our time for those close relationships around us. Galatians 6:2 sums up our role perfectly: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

All verses referenced are from the NIV translation.