Recently, I was listening to a message and the speaker gave a very interesting quote. He said ‘some people have a great working relationship with God, but a poor friendship’. Ouch! That hit me right on the face. How right he was.
In this era where there is so much emphasis being placed on achievement and goals, friendship with God has been placed on the backburner. We walk with God as long as he can deliver on certain things. When he stops delivering, we stop walking. Many times even after he delivers, we stop walking. What does this say about your friendship with him?
This reminds me of the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. I have heard this story so many times over the past few weeks, and asked myself whether in some way I have become a prodigal. In case you missed it, there are two prodigals in the story, the one that left and the one that remained. The one that remained mistook his great working relationship with the Father for a good friendship. Again, how wrong he was.
During their engagement, the Father said ‘….all that I have is yours’ (John 15:31). The elder son had access to the riches and supply of his Father, yet because he mistook a working relationship for his friendship, he could not access the resources of the Father. If you have been a prodigal say ‘Oh yea!’
I think everyone of us passes through this point at some stage. Sometimes we pass through this point many times. Especially because society is so focused on achievement and success.
One of the characteristics of the Church rising in this hour is going to be friendship. It will be a church built on genuine friendship with the Lord, and everything it does will be an outpouring from this friendship. This is easier said than done. It requires a change in our thinking process. We need to rise above what society pushes us to do and develop a kingdom mindset.
From the garden of Eden, God’s focus was always friendship. When God walked the garden in the cool of the day, it was for friendship. When God said, ‘it is not good for man to be alone’, it was for friendship. This has not changed. God is still seeking friendship with His people.
Abraham, the great patriarch of faith, was called the ‘friend of God’. No wonder God could not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah without consulting with Abraham. God would also go out of his way to protect Adam even when Adam had done things that were questionable. I am not sure how many wives would be excited if their husbands abandoned them into the hands of some tyrannical King who had a harem full of other women. Sarah must have struggled to forgive Abraham because of this, but God was quick to defend him. After all this, Abraham gets to be called ‘Lord’ by Sarah! Eish! I can see some women rolling their eyes at that one.
What am I saying? Friendship is such a powerful key, especially in these times when there is so much financial challenge. All that the Father has belongs to us. The only thing He is looking for is friendship. This will open the door to the treasures of heaven. Will you be a prodigal or a friend?
