I just watched the most disturbing video clip of a bunch of little furry animals called lemmings, jump–en masse–off of a high, rocky cliff, to their certain deaths!
I was totally appalled as to why a large group of animals would just all throw themselves off of a perfectly fine ledge.
Lemming Fever
As soon as that thought entered my head, I literally heard my fourth-grade elementary school teacher, Mrs. Maxime’s wharp, staccato voice: “Omar! If you’re friends all jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?!”
Chances are very high that you’ve also had a “Mrs. Maxime” in your life as well. Thank God for them!
As April is half-way done and winding to a close, everyone’s getting graduation and summer fever, it’s…well, wise to consider those words; actually the words of the writer of Proverbs put it so much better: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20, NIV). I’ve lived long enough, made enough mistakes, and talked to many, many youth who wish (like me) that they had heeded those words before they dealt with negative consequences.
Don’t be one of those people.
Today, and every day: don’t have lemming fever; today choose to walk with the wise.
Flea-full or Faithful?
In Georgia we have a saying that has to do with the kind of friends you choose: “If you lie down with dogs you’re gonna wake up with fleas!”
The Bible puts it like this: “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Galatians 6:7, NLT). The bottom line is this: choices have consequences—and they’re inescapable! So you have to ask yourself if your friends are flea-full or faithful? Come on, be honest with yourself. I’d rather you do it now and know the answer rather than finding out and acting all surprised, once you or them—or both of you are in some serious hot water!
You might ask yourself, how can you know what kind of friends are flea-full? Well, look no further, because the Bible gives you a perfect definition of the kinds of negative people you need to stay far away from. Check out Solomon’s wise words in the first chapter of Proverbs of all places:
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.” My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life (7-19, NLT).
Deciding Your “Friend” Factor
As you think about whether you’re walking with the wise or the foolish, I’m certain that you’re already thinking what kind of friend am I? Well, that’s a penetrating and uncomfortable question, isn’t it? What kind of friend are you? When your friend has issues, I mean, real issues, do you say “Hey, I’ll pray for you,” and then up and leave them all alone to deal with whatever’s going on? Or do you stick with them through thick and thin and help them get through it? Real, genuine friendship isn’t like a salad bar, where you can pick and choose certain things. If you’re in, you need to be all in! Let me ask this question in a different way: what kind of friend would you like to have? I already know your answer. My advice to you is to be that kind of friend.
Do the Impossible for Your Friend
