We can be duped into thinking that just because some friendships are seasonal, they are not sustainable, but relational distance doesn’ t always equal disconnection. Some friendships are designed for a season, not a lifetime, and that shouldn’ t make them any less sacred. A surfer friend who rides in and out of your life can still carry deep spiritual value.
" Many of us have been conditioned to believe that only long-term friendships count as real friendships."
Many of us have been conditioned to believe that only long-term friendships count as real friendships. We tend to measure relational success by how long someone has been in our lives( the relationship’ s duration) rather than by their dedication in a given season. I’ ve had several friends who appeared when I needed encouragement, perspective, or just some good belly laughs.
Not every friendship is meant to last forever. Some friendships are meant to be providential but not permanent. God often sends people into our lives for a specific purpose or season, and when we try to stretch our friendships with them beyond their calling, we can end up hurt or disoriented.
Jesus understood this. Though Scripture shows Jesus having consistent and constant companions, such as Peter and John, He also had some surf-in-and-out friends whose interactions carried deep spiritual significance. Take Nicodemus, for instance, who came into Jesus’ life like a slow-rising swell. Nicodemus arrived hesitant and unsure, a friend whose presence started out subtle but whose depth and loyalty grew over time. There was a sort of surfing ebb and flow to this friendship. A nighttime conversation led Nicodemus to defend Jesus before the Pharisees. And then Nicodemus made a bold, public act of devotion after Jesus’ death. Some friends are like this: They drift into our lives quietly, almost unnoticeably. They paddle in, retreat for a moment, then return. These relationships are not less meaningful than others; they are fluid and seasonal but marked by significance, timing, and a spiritual rhythm that always brings them back to shore when it matters most.
Every friendship has its rhythm. Some have the occasional text thread, others a shared meal every now and then. Some friends you might have an annual excursion with. Others just ride in on the right wave at the right time. You might not see them often, but they’ re the type of friend who makes you feel like there was no lapse at all.
Who are your surfer friends? Take some time to write their names down. The ones who show up right on time, as if divinely directed.
46