friends in the spiritual

“The spiritual realm.” What does that bring to mind? For me it had always been this supernatural world of demons and angels battling right and wrong. While I believe it exists, it was always a world of misty beings that float by and in “reality” I just don’t interact with them on a regular basis in my physical world.

But is that true?

A friend once illustrated it for me in this way. The way we picture the spiritual realm is how we usually envision ghosts. They come and go in misty, shapeless, forms. But Ecclesiastes tells us that it's actually our life that is a vapor. And later Peter reflected, "The grass withers, the flower fadeth, but the word of our Lord endureth forever." I would propose that the spiritual realm is actually the "real world", though our mortal minds can't see or experience it.

Does that make any sense? Let's take it to another level. How would that affect relationships? Let's say I am friends with a person, and it is solely for "physical" reasons. He does fun things, or she understands me or whatever. If the spiritual realm is what it's all about than where do friends fall into play?

When you have a close friend, like a really close friend, like either a husband/wife, or a David/Jonathan type of relationship, the two of you have the potential of engaging in spiritual battles side by side. United because of your faith and convictions you have become more powerful than any single warrior could be!

Too often I look at my friends only through physical eyes and don't even try to see the spiritual potential in a relationship. If the Enemy can keep us from getting deeper than the physical, he has at least succeeded in keeping us solo when the battle rages.

Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate my priorities...