Fickle comes from an Old English word ficol, which means deceitful.
In each of our lives we have the opportunity to have friends that are constants or fickle.
What are some constants that exist in your life?
A “constant” is something that is regularly recurring . . . something that is persistent, unwavering, and unchanging in nature, value, or extent.
Or, perhaps it is not a something but a someone.
We talk a lot about how God’s love for us is “a constant.” It is unwavering and always present within us. Yet, we must remember, one of the ways we can experience God’s love for and in us is through the love of our friends.
We were created to be in relationship with one another. (Remember the archetypal story of Adam and Eve in Genesis?) And to experience the truth of genuine relationship is a beautiful thing.
It is difficult sometimes, however, to know what a “genuine” relationship/friendship is. One of the ways we can discern if a friendship is real is by noting whether that person is a constant or a fickle friend.
It’s easy to be friends with one another when life is good/easy.
Real friends are the ones that are “constants.” They show up even when it isn’t easy, maybe even more-so. They listen, offer their presence and share their willingness to help carry our “stuff.”
Rev. Timothy Keller describes constant friends with this statement, “A friend is someone who shows up even when it costs them something.”
Constants.
They are the people that are in our lives that keep showing up, even if and even when it costs them something.
They have “skin in the game” and they don’t leave, falter, or fail when circumstances are less than ideal.
We see that happen with Jesus in the way that he loved his friends. Even when they disappointed him, he simply kept showing up for them over and over again.
Take a few moments to give thanks to God for “constant” friends.
John 15:
9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you.