“School. They’re in my AP classes.” He filled me in on what they were like and how they acted in class. “They’re cool. Don’t worry, they don’t party or anything. I don’t think they’re Christians though.”

At first it concerned me that my son was spending big chunks of time with guys who didn’t attend church or believe as he did. Until this year all of his friendships had grown from our church youth group. What if they swayed him away from his faith or exposed him to things we didn’t want him involved in? But he attended public high school. How could I expect him to hang out only with believers?

I fretted and prayed before finally considering that maybe God brought Cody and Brendon into Christian’s life for a reason, just as He had sent me some nonbelieving friends during my teen years. Instead of discouraging Christian from hanging out with these kids, I prayed for God to protect him, allow him to be an example, and help him stand firm when he needed to.

As much as we would like to surround ourselves with only Christian friends, we encounter nonbelievers at school, work, activities, and in our neighborhoods. What is more Christlike, to avoid them or to pursue friendship? Jesus spent His days with the “nonbelievers” of His day—tax collectors, fishermen, and women with dark pasts. What if He had associated with only those who knew and believed God’s Word? While God wants us to fellowship with other believers and make sure our kids have Christian friends, He also sends non-Christians our way so we can shine for Him and share the difference He has made in our lives.