The Stuff That Sticks

It’s amazing the things I can remember.

Without even trying, I can still name the entire starting lineup of the 2004 Boston Red Sox—Johnny Damon, Orlando Cabrera, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz… (see?). I know lyrics to obscure 90s country songs by heart, and I can vividly recall just about every time I've felt stabbed by a friend.

Yet, ask me by Wednesday morning what Sunday’s sermon was about—yes, even if I preached it myself—and the details are often embarrassingly fuzzy.

Why is it so easy for us to hold onto trivialities, hurts, and disappointments, yet struggle to retain the truths that nourish our souls?

Proverbs offers us this profound reminder:

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

At first glance, this verse might feel quaint, like something you’d find stitched onto a throw pillow. But beneath the surface, there’s gospel gold waiting to be uncovered.

Friendship, as the Bible describes it, isn’t casual or convenient. It’s sacrificial and relentless. True friendship mirrors the very heart of Christ, who didn’t love us from a safe distance. Instead, Jesus stepped into our brokenness, bearing our sins and our shame upon Himself. He didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up, but “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

In the Gospel of Mark (2:1-12), we meet a paralyzed man whose friends literally tore the roof off to lower him at the feet of Jesus. Scripture beautifully records that Jesus saw their faith—not just the man’s individual need, but the collective determination and love of his friends. Their faithful friendship brought healing and redemption.

This is what it means to be the friend. It means stepping in when it’s easier to step back. It means carrying someone toward Jesus, even if it costs you your convenience or comfort.

But Proverbs also invites us to something equally profound: the humility to receive friendship. Many of us find it easier to give than to receive. Receiving friendship requires vulnerability. It means acknowledging our own weaknesses, needs, and hurts.

And here’s the gospel again: our inability to admit need—to let someone carry our mat—often reveals our resistance to grace itself. We struggle to let others step toward us because deep down we want to appear strong, capable, sufficient.

But Scripture gently rebukes this pride:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Church, what if this week we committed not just to remember the sermon, but to actually embody it?
•Thank someone who has faithfully carried your burdens. Let them know their love made a difference.
•Pursue someone who might be quietly struggling or isolated.
•Forgive someone whose hurt you’ve carried longer than necessary.
•Repent to someone you’ve neglected or kept at a distance.

But don’t stop there. Allow yourself to receive friendship:
•Admit your needs.
•Let someone carry your mat.
•Invite someone into your struggle.

Because in doing so, you not only experience authentic friendship, but you experience Christ himself, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

Let’s not just be hearers of the Word—let’s be doers (James 1:22). Let’s be friends shaped by grace, humility, and the cross. Let’s remember more than trivia and hurts. Let’s remember Christ, who stepped toward us, so we can step toward one another.