Joy, my friends.

My heavens, we forget, at our own peril, that life is also supposed to be filled with joy.

The Apostle Paul lists joy as one of his vital “fruits of the spirit.” And God calls all of us to find genuine gladness in the company of others, likening it to a form of true worship. So we ought to take note.

For six years, I’ve been playing poker monthly with the same guys in a rotating circuit of home games. I’ve written about them before: A great group of gentlemen, curious and refined, and I could have never imagined having the privilege of calling such people my friends.

And accomplished? Criminy! … These fellas’ accomplishments and accolades could fill a banquet hall, and each retired (or soon will) from the tops of their professions. Sharp minds every one of them.

All of which makes poker night one of the highlights of my calendar each month. But it’s not because of the poker. Even on a good night, a guy’s winnings would leave him short of buying a fancy cup of coffee. That’s how low the stakes are. Rather, it’s these friends’ company I look forward to.

And, let’s be honest here: Sometimes it’s difficult for us men to admit we crave this companionship, this brotherhood. But we shouldn’t.

I often preach that we see God through the eyes of others. So, then there should be no shame in admitting that we want close, intimate friendships that fill us with joy.

This week, the guys took me to the woodshed. I couldn’t have paid the bus fare with the money I had left after the card game.

But you know what? … I would have paid twice that to have attended.

I had missed the last two months’ games, so this week was the first time I gathered with guys in a while. And I was struck by the realization of how badly I’ve missed this camaraderie these past 12 weeks.

The humor is fulfilling; the friendly banter is worth the price of admission; the intellectual conversations are illuminating; and most importantly is how we all show up for each other, in our personal and professional lives.

Someone suffers a loss; the group responds en masse to lift them up. Someone celebrates an achievement; the very same happens, but this time to join in celebration with them.

There’s nothing better than a solid friendship that has been built over time. Slow roasted to perfection. Allowed to ferment a bit in the brine, so to speak.

Great guys. Every single one of them. And I was reminded again this week of how very fortunate I am to call each of them my friend and how much joy they bring to my life. Thanks guys! Amen.

Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.