8:00AM: Vanguard Scouting (LDS) Daily Devotions

Saturday, 07/22: Friendly

Scripture

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Thought for the Day

Laughably misnamed, “social media” is about as social as staying home to rearrange your sock drawer. Conceived as a way to connect people, it has been shown that people today have fewer truly close friends than before social media became the norm. A “friend” is more than a click, a like or hashtag. King Solomon, in all his wisdom, hit the nail on the head. A friend is a real live person you can depend on, even (especially) when things are not going so well. It is also hugely important to remember a true friend is not necessarily your own personal “Get out of Jail Free” card either. It takes a dedicated and true friend to tell us when we need to consider the possibility that what we may be doing is not so friendly to others. This kind of friend is the friend King Solomon, the biblical king best known for his wisdom, calls “a brother (or sister) born for adversity.” The name Solomon means “peace” in Hebrew. Having this kind of friend can indeed bring about a feeling of great peace.

The worldwide Scouting movement is an international band of young people who have pledged friendship to one another. It is incredible to think that you have friends all over the planet, but you do. This is a gift you will come to appreciate more and more in the environment of a Jamboree in an amazing place like the Summit. A Jamboree is a perfect opportunity to expand your world by making friends with Scouts of other social, cultural, and religious backgrounds. It is in a place like this we can come to see how much more we have in common than divides us. This is the time and place to be intentional about demonstrating friendship with the Scouts and Scouters in your unit, subcamp and throughout the reservation. The day’s activities will be more fun, run more smoothly and will build the foundation for friendships that can last a lifetime. If you don’t have a friend like King Solomon describes, “one who loves at all times and is a brother (or sister) born for adversity,” you really need to find and make one. If you do, count your blessings, and then try to find some more.

Questions for Discussion

• Can you name a “best friend”? How about three close friends?
• How does a true friend interpret the phrase, “I’ve got your back”?

Prayer

Dear God, my friend and guide; teach me to be a true friend. Always lead me on the path to love, and to be a brother or sister born for adversity who can be counted on when my friends really need me. A Scout is friendly. Amen.