FRIEND - CEAI

FRIEND
May 7, 2018

Prayer: Lord, You are the best Friend I have ever had. Today, I want to remember to thank You and live every moment aware of Your great love for me.

Scripture: When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33: 10-11b NAS

I was having coffee at a friend’s house and her phone kept ringing and ringing. “Aren’t you going to answer that?” I asked. My friend explained that she knew who it was, a “friend” who only called her when she needed something. She called to borrow things, when she needed childcare, when she had over committed herself and needed someone to do one of her jobs. She calls all the time to get my advice but rarely uses it. The worst times are when she has attempted something she was not capable of alone and has ended up making a big mess of things. She then needs someone to clean up her mess and complete the task.

My friend begged, “Please do not think badly of me; you know I do not mind helping people out.” She explained that unless the “friend” needed something, she never heard from her otherwise. She never called to say “thank you,” or to invite her out to lunch or for a walk. She never offered to do anything in return or to go to a concert or event. “I want a friendship, but she just seems to think I am here to tend to all her needs,” my friend complained.

I told her that made me think of how we treat God sometimes. We call on Him when we need something. We eagerly seek Him when we have made a mess of things while trying to accomplish something on our own. We cry out for help when we are out of ideas, resources and energy, but somehow we forget to call back and say “Thank you.” We don’t talk to Him throughout our day, in our cars or on a walk. We do not invite Him to come along to our other activities; sometimes we even hope He doesn’t see where we go and what we are doing.

It is important that we are here to serve Him, not the other way around. God desires a close relationship with us. He desires a closeness that shares everything and talks often – not just when you need something.

Today know – and live out – what a friend we have in Jesus.