“I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 2:20-21

Heavenly Father,

Reading Paul’s words makes me deeply thankful for the “Timothys” You have placed in my own life. Thank you for the rare, beautiful friends who have walked alongside me. I am so grateful for the people who have shown a genuine, unselfish concern for my welfare when I had absolutely nothing to offer them in return. Ultimately, I know their friendship is just a small reflection of Jesus. He is the One who looked past His own interests and completely spent Himself for my rescue.

Lord, if I am totally honest, when I look in the mirror, too often I don’t see a Timothy looking back at me. Paul’s warning that “everyone looks out for their own interests” describes my natural heartbeat perfectly. I treat so many of my relationships as transactional. I catch myself evaluating friendships based on how they make me feel or how they advance my own little kingdom. I am so quick to listen to someone’s struggles while secretly checking my watch or thinking about my own schedule.

Please forgive my self-absorption and change my heart. Let the staggering reality of how deeply Jesus cares for me cure me of my obsession with myself. Transform me into the kind of friend who is a safe, genuinely caring presence for someone else. Help me to look out for the interests of Jesus by fiercely and humbly loving the people You have put right in front of me.

In the name of Jesus, 

Amen