You are very fortunate if you have a friend who is with you for a long period of time. My
wife has a friend that she has known pretty much her whole. I grew up as a military brat
before there was anything known as the internet and social media. I moved so much I
have lost track of my childhood friends. But I made a friend in 1990, who became my
best friend. Randy Klocke and I started Seminary at the same time. We instantly hit it off
and we began a friendship that lasted until he died three years ago. During much of
that time, we lived in different parts of the state, but distance did not matter, if we
needed something, we would be there for each other.
wife has a friend that she has known pretty much her whole. I grew up as a military brat
before there was anything known as the internet and social media. I moved so much I
have lost track of my childhood friends. But I made a friend in 1990, who became my
best friend. Randy Klocke and I started Seminary at the same time. We instantly hit it off
and we began a friendship that lasted until he died three years ago. During much of
that time, we lived in different parts of the state, but distance did not matter, if we
needed something, we would be there for each other.
Since Randy died, I have not had an earthly friend who is closer to me than a brother.
But I am thankful that I have another friend. His name is Jesus. Jesus said in John
15:15, “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.” In the same way that Abraham was called a friend of God, so we
are called friends of Jesus. Abraham was God’s friend because God revealed to
Abraham his plans. So too we who are Christ followers are privileged to have an
intimate relationship with Him.
We did not choose to be Jesus’ friends; he chose us, and He reveals to us His heart
and His will through His word by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is always with us, and we have
the privilege to hear him talk to us through His word, and to talk with Him in prayer. How
sad it is that so often we do not take advantage of the favor we have. Larnelle Harris
wrote a song years ago entitled “I Miss My Time with You.” Is Jesus saying that to you
today? He wants to be your friend.
For Further Study Read: Proverbs 17:17 and Proverbs 18:24 and 1 Samuel 18:1-3
