What Are Friends For?

I recently received a piece of junk email from someone named Mark who was just looking out for me: “Mark” wrote:

This is not meant to be an insult or anything, but people at work are talking about your weight. I thought you should know. I knew it would upset you if you knew, but I know some friends here and outside work who have used a program that worked within weeks. I’m not pushing anything on your, but thought it wouldn’t hurt if you looked into it. I also think that I am doing you a favor as it’s always nice when people talk about how much better you look than how much you’ve been putting on. I hope I am not intruding, just trying to help out. My cousin and friend Alex used this and it helped a lot. Here’s the page I know they got it from direct: zzzzz.com.Again, I’m just trying to help out. Thanks for listening. – Mark

What would I do without friends like Mark looking out for me? And, of course, he’s right: it’s always nice when people talk about how much better you look rather than how much you have been putting on. Thank goodness for friends like Mark.

It may be that my good buddy Mark doesn’t even exist, but he got me thinking. What do people say about me. Are they talking about how much better I look these days or are there rumors of too many chocolate chip cookies at the fellowship time after worship? What would my Park friends say if they had the courage to be as honest as Mark?

Should we be concerned about what others are saying about us? Jesus thought we should. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven,” he said. (Matthew 5:16)

What should others see when they see us? What should they talk about when they talk behind our backs? Jesus said they should talk about our good works and, seeing our good works, give glory to our Father in heaven.

My pal Mark says there’s talk about my weight, and he’s worried that I might be upset. It’s okay, Mark. I can handle it. But what joy we’d have if we knew that the people who talk behind our backs were all abuzz about our good works and were giving glory to our Father in Heaven.

What are people saying about you? What are they saying about Park People? And what are you saying?