Day #12: Developing Your Friendship with God

"He offers His friendship to the godly." - Proverbs 3:32 (NLT)

In previous chapter we have talked about two things that can help us developing friendship with God. Can't remember? I'll refresh your memory. They are: maintain a conversation with God (pray) and continuation of meditation. In this chapter, we will explore four other aspects that are as much important as the previous two.

First of all, we have to choose to be honest to God. We all know our God is an all-knowing God. He knows our heart, He knows our desires and He knows what's best for us. What about us? Yes, we are one of the highest creation of God, He created us as His own image! But we are human, and we're not all-knowing. But this feeling of not knowing makes us often worry, scare, angry, and worse, starts questioning the all-knowing God. It might seem like things are not balance right now, because we know nothing of our future or whatever it is, but isn't it the reason why we should hold on to someone who knows everything? Someone who can guide us to the truth? Knowing and admitting God as an all-knowing God is not enough. We have to be honest with Him, show Him the real us. You might think, but He's an all-knowing God, He should know what I want or think without me telling Him! The truth is, God knows, but He wants you to tell Him anyway. Why? Because He wants to hear it from you. It's like how parents know their children are all right, but they would love to hear their own children come to them, and tell them how they're doing.

God wants a real relationship with you, and not an I-know-what-you're-thinking game. His power of knowing it all is not a reason why you shouldn't talk to Him and be honest. It's the reason why you should look up to Him, and reveal your truth to Him.

Now that you're being honest with God, there's more to do. You can't stop at being honest with God, you must do more! You must obey Him in faith. The word 'obey' might makes you flinch and think of it as an enforcement. It's not. When you love someone deeply, you'd do anything for them, you'd do what they want you to do. When you love God, obedience doesn't come because you have to, but because you realize that obedience pleases God. And if you love God, you'll want to please Him.

And in whatever you do, do it for the Lord, don't care about what others think. It's all about Jesus, remember? :)

The third point is, you must choose to value what God values. Again, it is not meant to be a burden, so shake off that negative thoughts when you read the word 'must'. Being a friend of God involving love, and actually, we're all capable of doing almost everything in the name of love. The word must here is to strengthen the fact that it is very important to have desires to do all of those things. If you love God, you MUST have these desires to please Him, to obey Him, to talk Him, to be honest with Him. If you think you don't have to do these things, then you must learn to love God first.

Back to the main point, when you have a bestfriend, you would have almost the same value. You would regard their values as if it's yours. And this is what we do in our friendship with God. We should care about the things that He cares about. If we think again, what does God want? He sent Jesus for... what? To redeem us, human from sin, yes. And..?? He wants everyone in the world receive His grace and salvation! God cares about everyone. He loves everyone, thus we must care about them too. We have to spread the good news to everyone. That's what friends are for.

At this point you might think, what else do I HAVE to do to become a friend of God? It's easy: you must have the desire to be a friend of God, more than anything else! You're as close to God as you choose to be and that's the fact! There are some people in bible who had intimate relationship with God. If you look up to Abraham, Noah, Moses, David and Paul, they're all so passionate about being with God. They love praising Him, they enjoy worship Him, and they prepare quality time with Him. As a matter of fact, Paul dedicated his life to God. I'm not saying you all have to be like Paul. But imagine what the world would be if we have their desire. Imagine how it feels to have a close relationship with God. It would be peaceful. And awesome.

:)