Chatting is a VERY Good Friend

October 17, 2008
One of the things I am very thankful for here in Rwanda is the fact that I have been able to make some good friends. Friendship is so important; it is part of our human nature to desire to be with others and to share our experiences.

This got me thinking about the whole aspect of friendship. What actually is a friend? One of the main features of friendship is that you can relax and be yourself with another person. You do not have to act with them, you don't have to pretend that everything is OK when it isn't, and you can be honest with them.

Do you have any friends that you are never 100% honest with? I wonder how deep a relationship like this could be and how long it would last.

Imagine if you had a friend who knew everything there was to know about you. Even things that you didn't tell anyone else. Imagine they could see right in to your heart, even in to the hidden corners. Would you be honest with a friend like this?

Jesus is such a friend. He said in the Bible (John 15:13-15) that if we follow him he will be our friend. In fact, even at times when we choose not to follow him, he will still be our friend. He was labeled as the 'friend of sinners' when he was here on earth. When we communicate with him, or, to use spiritual terminology, when we 'Pray', do we approach him as a friend, in honesty, opening our hearts and letting him see all the hidden corners, or do we see him more as a distant authority figure who we are unable to be completely honest with.

This Sunday we will look at what Jesus' friendship means when we are thinking about prayer. We will look at the wonderful privilege we have in being able to be completely honest with him. Please do come and join us.

Graham McFadden