Friends...

How do you choose your friends?

Sometimes, you are forced into friendship - like when you were little and forced to play with the annoying little girl down the street. Your mom was friends with her mom, so you constantly found yourself on play dates. Of course, the lack of friend potential led you to spend more time staring at one another and less time playing nice.

Other times, you fall into friendship. You meet someone and everything just clicks - before you know it y'all shared your life story. This is the kind of friend you can ignore for years, but upon reuniting its like time had never passed at all.

Then, there are those friends that you choose. You know someone from afar and upon your choice, you develop an acquaintance into a friendship and a friendship into a close relationship.

Of course, there are also those friends that you must work to establish. Maybe there isn't an immediate click, but upon continual dinner dates, several phone calls, and a few awkward conversations, you develop a nice relationship. So, maybe you aren't soul mates, but dinner companions...

There are those friends you do not befriend. There is that girl that could be your friend except [insert annoying habit here]. Or, that guy whose[insert annoying vice here] you just can't overcome. Those friends are more like frenemies... there, but not because you really want them to be.

And, lastly, there is friendship; true friendship - no strings attached, no requirements - the friend that is there for you regardless - even if you mess up constantly, ignore him and run the other way - the friend that comforts you when you are sad and rejoices with you (without jealousy) when you are happy. This friend is Jesus. Everyday God chooses people to follow him, just as he CHOSE the disciples. WOW! Jesus chooses us to be his friend. And, friendship with God is no normal friendship -

• In Colossians 3:12, we learn, a friend of Christ is a chosen person.
• Job 29:4 tells us friendship with God is intimate - just between you and him. Job had this friendship, an intimate friendship with God.
• James 2:23 lets us know that friendship with God develops from belief in Him and from that belief, we develop righteousness. Abraham too experienced this friendship - "and the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God's friend."
• And, lastly Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us friendship with God is eternal. He doesn't ditch you because someone better comes along or because you are no longer fun to be around. Friendship with God is everlasting. God promises to never leave you or forsake you.

Yes, there are many types of friendships - some easy, some hard, and some you just want to get rid of. But of all the friendships, a friendship with Jesus is by far the most important. As a friend of Jesus, you are chosen to experience an intimate relationship from which you develop a stronger belief, a righteousness of life, and an eternal love. So, what do you think - do you have a true friendship with Jesus? Can He call you His friend?


A few verses mentioned:
Colossians 3:12 - Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, holiness, gentleness and patience.
Job 29:4 - Oh for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house.
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous - do not be terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.


"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1