Recently I spoke at a ministers' conference, and following one of the sessions, one pastor confessed, "You know, I've never had a best friend. I've been so busy working for the Lord that I've never found the time."

You could hear the lonely longing in his voice. I felt it inside, because ten years ago I'd felt the same way. I was considered a successful youth leader and teacher, I was trying to live the Christian life as best I understood it, and yet I felt lonely. Things weren't rotten; I wasn't in a state of desperation. But something inside me said, There's got to be more to the Christian life than this. I feel alone.

I didn't know what I was looking for. I certainly didn't think I was looking for a relationship of accountability. But such a friendship found me.

Surprised by friendship

I was working with Young Life at the time and met a guy named Rob, a young, rising business executive from the right side of the tracks. I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. He was single; I was married. ...