Friendship is a concept that is precious to my heart. I always say that I have friends and then I have my “inner circle,” and my inner circle is those that I truly consider near and dear. As the young people would say, these are my ” ride or die.”

I can tell you that many of my friends often call me when they want advice, a different opinion from what others have provided, or direct advice without any “sugarcoating.” One thing I don’t do is tell people what they want to hear; I try to tell them what they need to hear, and maybe this is why people gravitate to me. I also have a deep desire for them to succeed in their lives and they know this.

I thank God for the favour He has given me in my friends’ eyes and the value they have brought into mines. I am truly blessed to have them in my life, and if any of them are reading this blog, “I would like to say thanks for being you and sharing yourselves with me.”

The above represents the experiences with my friends; I hope and pray it will continue.

However, something happened in church last Sunday morning that caused me to pause and reflect on friendship and how you and I impact the lives of others around us. The preacher said that the Prophet Nathan was a Trusted Advisor to King David. Upon hearing this, I asked myself, “How much can I be considered a Trusted Advisor to others?”. Should more people regard me as a Trusted Advisor? What does it mean to be a Trusted Advisor? Were their biblical men who were regarded as Trusted Advisors?  There were numerous questions in my head after the preacher said the words “Trusted Advisor”.

So, I researched to see men of God who were considered trusted advisors and a snapshot of this information is listed below.

  1. Joseph was a trusted advisor to the Pharaoh, King of Egypt (Genesis 41)
  2. Nathan was a prophet who served as an advisor to King David. He played a key role in holding David accountable for his sin with Bathsheba and provided guidance in building the Temple (2 Samuel 12, 1 Chronicles 17).
  3. Elisha, the successor of Elijah, was also an advisor to Israel’s kings, particularly King Jehoram. He provided guidance during times of war and famine.
  4. As the last judge of Israel, Samuel served as a spiritual leader and advisor to both King Saul and King David. He anointed both men as kings and gave counsel during key moments in Israel’s history (1 Samuel 8-16).
  5. Though not just an advisor, King Solomon was known for his wisdom, which drew people worldwide, including leaders and dignitaries seeking counsel. His reign is marked by political and spiritual wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-28, 10:1-13).
  6. Mordecai was a trusted advisor to King Ahasuerus, known for uncovering a plot against the king and guiding Esther to save the Jewish people.
  7. Daniel was a trusted advisor to Babylonian and Persian kings, known for his wisdom, dream interpretation, and unwavering faith in God.  (Daniel 2:46–49; Daniel 6:1–3)

I cannot help but admire the calibre of notable biblical figures who were regarded as trusted advisors. These individuals were spiritually sound, maintained a good relationship with God, and executed their roles effectively. They offered timely counsel, comprehended circumstances well, and knew what needed to be done in each season. They could be relied upon to act rightly in the eyes of God and man, and even when they erred, they acknowledged their mistakes and made adjustments to rectify them. Unfortunately, some of these qualities are lacking in today’s society, resulting in a lack of trust among individuals.

Imagine you have a dependable friend like these men. A friend who is trustworthy, keeps information private and confidential, is wise and knowledgeable, consistent, always goes the extra mile, actively listens without judging, gives direct feedback, and is not afraid to correct you when you are wrong. Essentially, they apply the principle, “If I love you, you will see!”  Meaning, in all aspects of their being, they feed into you and support you with all their actions. If you have a friend like this, you are truly blessed and highly favoured, but sadly, many don’t, and if we do, it’s just a handful.😢

So, my encouragement to you today is not to necessarily seek out friends like this but to be a friend like this. If a friend like this comes into your life, then bless God and appreciate and value them. However, “today is not about the bringing of a man, but it is about the making of a man.” It’s about becoming the person God wants to mature and mold you into.  

It is about shaping yourself into a person who:

  1. Honours their word: “…who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.” – Psalm 15:4
  2. Shows Love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
  3. Kind & Merciful: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”- Ephesians 4:32
  4. Humble: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
  5. Wise: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
  6. Faithful: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” – Proverbs 3:3-4

It is about becoming a better version of yourself—someone who can influence and impact the world one person at a time. Ephesians 5:13 says, “… everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” Therefore, allow God to illuminate you so you can be a light to others.

Build yourself to become a trusted advisor! Trusted by God, and trusted by man!

After reading this blog, I encourage you to call a friend and express your gratitude, showing appreciation for who they are in your life. If your friend has positively impacted your life, then return the favour today by showering them with praise. Give value to the valuable! Act and do this now.

PS: Dane Miller was last seen with a list of names making phone calls.

Your Brother in the Lord,

Dane Miller – “God is the Author, I am the Pen”

Authored Book – What is the Woman Saying – Lessons from Biblical Women.

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