“but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NAS95)
I’ve spent the last 15 years taking a daily, slow, repeated, awarenessful walk through the Gospels. I say awarenessful (odd word, right?) because my desire focused on paying attention to the Spirit’s accents to which God wanted me to attend and engage Him. I’m very grateful for this trek because Jesus, true to His words in the verse, wants us as friends, and I have felt that from Him.
He says that He has disclosed all things to His own band of disciples in His day. As I consider the interaction, the depth of conversation He and I have had, I’d say that Jesus has shared much with me. It has made me hear His heart and feel His love regularly. He’s influenced the way I see life and approach it too.
I said Jesus disclosed things, but I need state that He’s created an atmosphere where I can reveal without fear or harm lots of things stirring on my insides to Him. I’ve learned to share with Him as best and as authentically as I can, pain, challenges, struggles, motivations, joys, happiness and a whole lot of gratitude. When I’ve spoken with the best genuineness I can muster, I’m always met with an amazing love and a better understanding of God’s posture toward me. I’m also reminded of His advocacy for the best experience life can offer.
I’m so convinced of His desire for friendship with me that I see His phenomenal love at the cross, not my sin. Sure, I need the forgiveness, but more than that I need the friendship Jesus so deeply wants to give me through His reconciling work of the cross. I know now that He reconciled me to Himself so I could enjoy that friendship and its transforming effects.
Love changes things, even me. As Jesus and I have trekked together, I’ve seen and experienced the restorative nature of friendship with Him. My friendship with Him fills me in such a way that transformation happens, and I want it. It is a strange thing to walk with someone who always sees my potential and always speaks to my problems in ways that motivate change. I also feel loved amid it all.
Friendship with God amazes me. What about you?
For Reflection
“He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;” (Psalm 15:3 NAS95)
- How do you speak with Jesus? What do you reveal of your inner life, motivations, fears, aspirations and your feelings around those things? What happens when you take time to notice His response?
- What helps you keep your attention on the conversation He’s having with you?
