Day 10 The Friends You Don’t See Yet

Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

Have you ever wondered how many friendships God has lined up for you that you haven’t even met yet? How many life-giving relationships are waiting just around the corner, hidden in unexpected places?

Most of us assume friendship is something we stumble upon, but what if we’re meant to seek it, steward it, and step into it intentionally? Too often, we sit back, waiting for the right people to find us, when in reality, God may be calling us to move toward them.

The problem? We tend to filter friendships through comfort, not calling. We gravitate toward those who look like us, think like us, and fit neatly into our pre-existing world. But some of the best friendships—the ones that sharpen, stretch, and strengthen us—don’t come naturally. They come through friction, through faith, through unexpected doors.

What if the very relationships that could transform your life are the ones you’ve been overlooking?

Bible Story: David and Jonathan – The Unlikely Bond

David and Jonathan should have been enemies. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, had every reason to see David as a threat. By birthright, Jonathan was next in line for the throne. But God had other plans—David was the anointed one. Instead of resentment, Jonathan chose loyalty. Instead of competition, he chose promise.

“Then Jonathan made a promise with David, because he loved him as his own soul.” (1 Samuel 18:3)

Jonathan saw in David what others did not. He recognized God’s hand on him and chose to align himself with the Lord’s plan, even at great personal cost. In the end, Jonathan’s friendship saved David’s life and played a pivotal role in Israel’s future.

What if Jonathan had clung to entitlement instead of embracing friendship? What if David had rejected Jonathan’s loyalty out of fear? How many divine connections do we walk right by because we judge too quickly, assume too much, or hold on too tightly to our own plans?

Who’s Missing in Your Life?
We often think about the friendships we’ve lost, but what about the ones we haven’t found yet?
• What if your closest friend five years from now is someone you haven’t even met yet?
• What if your growth depends on a relationship you haven’t pursued?
• What if God has been nudging you toward someone, but you’ve ignored the prompting?

The best friendships are rarely predictable. They come through openness and through recognizing the fingerprints of God on people we never expected.

What This Means for Us?
• God-designed friendships require pursuit. Stop waiting and start seeking. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Friendships may come through unexpected people. Don’t filter relationships through personal preference alone. (1 Samuel 18:3-4)
• True friendship is a sharpening tool. It strengthens, refines, and shapes us into who we’re meant to be. (Proverbs 27:17)

Reflection:
1. Are you stuck in a friendship comfort zone, unwilling to embrace new people God may be sending your way?
2. Have you let assumptions or past hurts keep you from forming deep connections?
3. Who in your life today could be a hidden gift, waiting for you to recognize them?

Do Something:
This week, be intentional. Start a conversation with someone new. Text an old acquaintance. Say yes to a gathering you’d normally skip. Ask God to open your eyes to the friendships you don’t see yet.

You never know—the person God wants to sharpen you might be standing right in front of you, look nothing like you, and yet be the person who will change your life forever!