Be the Person Who Shows Up When Everyone Else Is Silent
You Don’t Need Permission to Reach Out
Most people wait.
They wait for someone else to call.
They wait for someone else to check in.
They wait until the silence has stretched so long that reaching out feels awkward.
And so, nothing happens.
But here’s the truth: someone you know right now is starving for connection. Not because they’re weak, not because they’re needy, but because life has a way of isolating us. Work piles up, stress builds, and suddenly months pass without a real conversation.
A childhood friend said something to me recently that hit hard:
“It sucks, man. Nobody really talks to me.”
He wasn’t looking for sympathy. He was just stating a fact. And in that moment, I realized - I should be the one reaching out.
The Power of a Random Message
Years ago, I got a call out of the blue from a friend I hadn’t talked to in years. No agenda. He was just thinking about me. We caught up for 30–40 minutes. Since then, that friend has become my closest brother. We talk weekly, we push each other, and now we’re even building Unrealized Purpose together.
That call changed the trajectory of our friendship.
And it reminded me: people are not annoyed when you reach out. They’re grateful.
Most of the time, they were hoping you would.
Friendship Is Built, Not Found
The Bible says:
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. - Proverbs 18:24
Friendship doesn’t just happen. Brotherhood doesn’t just appear. You don’t stumble into strong relationships - you build them, brick by brick.
And one of the simplest bricks is a random text:
“Hey, I was thinking of you.”
“Hope you’re doing well.”
“Praying for you today.”
It doesn’t need to be long. It doesn’t need to be profound. But it needs to be intentional.
Because here’s the reality:
If you only call people when you need something, that’s not friendship. That’s a transaction.
But if you call people to give - encouragement, laughter, perspective - that’s where trust grows.
Your Challenge
This week, I’m challenging myself to do this daily: send one message to someone I haven’t talked to in a while. Just to remind them they matter.
No agenda. No ask. Just encouragement.
Because if you want real friendships, you have to be a real friend first.
And when you give more than you take, you’ll be surprised at how many people are happy you reached out.
“Encouragement is free, but its value is immeasurable.”
Don’t wait for someone else to go first.
Be the one who makes the call.
Be the one who sends the text.
Be the person you needed when you were going through it.