Friendship From C.S. Lewis' Perspective

“In friendship...we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another...the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting--any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another." The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

In brief: 

In friendship, we often think we’ve chosen our friends. Those who do not know
God, believe it is by chance or luck.  A few years apart, different neighborhoods, a choice of university, or even what we talk about at first meeting could have kept us apart. But for a Christian, there are no chances. God has a secret plan. Just like Christ said to the disciples, “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you,” God has chosen us for each other. Our friendship isn’t a reward for being so picky and finding great people. It’s how God shows us the beauty of others.

Other quotes of C.S. Lewis on friendship:

“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

“What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.” 

― C. S. Lewis