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July 21, 2009
Friends for Life
Living in the Flow of God's Friendship |
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Greetings!
Last night I celebrated my 42nd birthday. I want to thank many of you for the well wishes and kind thoughts. I had a great day celebrating the goodness and grace of God.
During my birthday dinner my son Zach made a profound statement. He had obviously been taking the night in and had come to an epiphany. He came and sat next to me, pulled me close, then stated, "You know, you make allot of acquaintances in life but it's family and true friends that matter." I could not have been prouder.
Zach returned to his seat and I pondered his insight. Who was here? Who was around? It was my Mom and Dad and close friends and family. This is not to say others would not have come if invited but it does tell you something. We have many relationships but one family and some friends. There is nothing wrong with this. It is just what it is. Our humanity cannot handle excessive relationships. We are made to love one another but to love few deeply.
The amazing thing about Zach's revelation is that it sparked off thoughts about Jesus. Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, is not a man. He is God. He can handle multiple relationships and, in fact, He died to earn that right!
Jesus is your greatest friend and ally. He will never leave you and always has time for you. This is utterly amazing. While we have difficulty keeping track of just our immediate family, Jesus is capable of loving each and every one of us as if we were the only people created ... that's love ... that's friendship ... that's a relationship that never fades.
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13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
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Surprise ... Surprise
If you would have asked me 25 years ago who would be around the table at my 42nd birthday dinner I might have guessed some of my family members. However, I would not have guessed any of my friends. Why? Times change. People change. I have changed. And, I didn't know Jesus 25 years ago like I know Him today.
Life is a trip. We are here but for a vapor and feel we must figure it all out. The truth is that we never will. Another truth is that Jesus has it all figured out. And, He is our dearest friend and longs to share each and every moment with us. Proverbially, we are, and have been, barking up the wrong tree. We have chased other relationships rather than run to Jesus ... our friend. Jesus is not just a friend, He is our best friend. And, when we realize that truth it is all we really need to know.
I used to think God was a big "Dad" with a big belt. He simply lurked about waiting to catch me doing something bad. Now, I know God is more than a Judge. He is my friend. He is my King. He is my Lord. He is my Savior. He is so much more than words can describe! Now, I know God is my friend and He desires to "do" life with me. This is the source of my peace and my joy.
Friend, this week, get in contact with the "love of your soul". Find the Jesus of John 15. He is your friend and so much more but never lose the fact that He calls you friend. As Zach said, "It's family and close friends that matter" and you have no greater friend than in Jesus Christ. Get to know Him more and enjoy the relationship as you live moment by moment in friendship with Jesus.
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