You’ve never had a Friend like this one! Celebrate being his friend.

“…and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:23 ESV

 I had an epiphany early one recent morning. Sitting on the swing on our front porch, I was observing a particularly bright star beginning to lose its intensity by the coming of the sun. As I observed and marveled at the change from night to day, I realized that I was about to talk to and with the Creator of the ‘scenery of the heavens!’

I sensed his voice in my heart saying, “We’re friends, you and me.”

We’ve all heard the saying “A friend is someone who knows you very well and still loves you.”

That’s precisely the kind of Friend that God is to us.!

He knows all about us – from how many hairs are on our heads to the thoughts going through our minds at any time. He knows our humiliating weaknesses… dropped assignments… moments when we almost gave up. He has complete knowledge of every happiness we’ve encountered… from our first trip to Disneyland as a child to the thrill we had holding our newborn in our arms for the very first time.

I don’t mind Him or anyone else knowing about some of me, but it can bother me that He knows all about me. But when I feel particularly vulnerable in that relationship, his smile breaks out and He reminds me that my lifelong companions on this journey are his goodness and his mercy. (And oh, how we need his mercy!)

Here are several points about this incredible Friend:

We’re friends at his invitation.  “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 ESV We are not friends left in the dark about God or his plans.

His friendship entails marvelous benefits. From Psalm 23 we’re reminded that He keeps meeting all our needs. His path for our lives contains green pastures beside still waters. It’s really hard getting uptight in that setting! Our souls are realigned and his righteousness becomes the path we’re allowed to walk. Even when facing the end of life here, his companionship is as tight as ever.

Don’t ever forget that God may play many roles in your life, but there’s one He relishes… being a Friend of yours. Your picture has never been taken off his refrigerator!

Watch for “God… is” Part 3 next week!