I came to a startling revelation a few months ago. I don't have any friends. I don't. I have a lot of acquaintances but, other than my wife, I really have no close friends.

I've had some friends in the past, but not many. Eventually something happened-nothing sinister, just something like moving, having a baby, changing jobs, building a home, going back to school, changing churches. Nothing bad or wrong, just something that happened-and the next thing I knew, another friendship slowly eroded.

There are half a dozen guys whom I consider to be close, caring people I always look forward to being with. They are people who accept me as I am.

But a close friend? Nope. Not one.

I have been wondering why for a long time. After some painful soul-searching, I think I have discovered the reasons.

My busy-ness myth

I am too busy. I am gone too much, travel too much, speak too much, and work too much. I have done an excellent job of convincing the people around me that I am too busy—too ...

You have reached the end of this Article Preview

To continue reading, subscribe to Christianity Today magazine. Subscribers have full digital access to CT Pastors articles.

Log InSubscribe

Already a CT subscriber? Log in for full digital access.