He was also angry with the three friends because they had neither come up with an answer nor proved Job wrong. Job 32:3 (MSG)

I have known a few "friends" who, like Job's buddies, are assured they know God's plan for me. On the darkest and most desoloate stretches of life's road are those who appear along the path to point fingers, render judgment, and tout self-righteous directions towards their prescribed route for my salvation. All with the best of intentions, of course.

Yet, love and friendship are not about criticism, judgement, and self-righteous demands. We are called to love and not condemn. We are told to be examples, not judges. Sometimes walking in friendship requires that we take off our "Highway Helper" badge and entrust ourselves and our wayfaring companions to the only One who is both a righteous judge and mighty to save.

I'm wondering if Job wasn't reevaluating his friendships right about chapter 32.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Gary Bridgman