Hey PPN Family, 

A study in 2019 found that on average, Australians have 3.3 ‘best friends’ at the centre of their friendship circle.  By comparison, the same study found that people in India had an average of 6.0 ‘best friends’ and those in the UK only had 2.6 ‘best friends.’ 

These results highlight the fact that even though we are living in an age that is dominated by technology, we still place a great importance and value on friendships.  And this is a good thing, because God created us for community. 

When Jesus was about to go through the toughest time of his life, He made sure that he was not alone.  We read in Matthew 26:37-38 that, ‘He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”’ 

Jesus was preparing to give His life to save the world, and He needed his closest friends to be with Him at this time.  In the same way, when we go through challenging situations it is so important that we have some ‘best friends’ who can support us through those times. 

Whether it is our partners, some childhood friends from school, or friends from work, or church, or even just us chaplains, it is so crucial for us to have the backing of people whom we can trust when we are going through difficult times. 

God bless, 

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai