Shall We Be Friends
Shall We Be Friends?
Bill had always found it difficult to make friends, especially at school. He didn’t feel very clever and he wasn’t even good at sports, he felt like a nobody, and it seemed like everyone treated him that way.
Life had been incredibly lonely for Bill but all that had changed when Pete joined the school and soon, they became the very best of friends.
Pete’s father had sent him to Bill’s home town to attend the school. Despite their separation, Bill soon noticed the special bond that Pete and his father had and the way that they often talked on the phone several times a day.
Shortly after he had arrived, a video recording from Pete’s dad saying how proud and pleased that he was with his son was played in an assembly. It provoked quite a reaction from the other students, after all pupils were only ever honored in an assembly if they had achieved or had done something special. In contrast, this message from the father spoke of love and being pleased with his son simply because is shows how a father felt about his son and he wanted everyone to know it.
Bill was intrigued by the special relationship that Pete had with his father! Pete seemed to draw acceptance, security, strength, guidance, and a purpose from his father and Bill noticed that all of these elements were also found by him in his friendship with Pete.
Pete and Bill were inseparable, they learned together, they laughed together, they shared hopes and dreams together, and they even talked about the things that were worrying them.
When they left school, Bill went to work in an office while Pete continued to spend his time befriending people – he didn’t get paid for it, but his father always seemed to ensure that he had enough to live on. They continued to meet up and speak each day, and Bill was grateful for the fulfillment in life that he had found through their friendship.
Several months later, Pete told Bill that he was going home to his father and that one day Bill could come and live with them, but that it wasn’t time yet.
When Pete left, they stayed in touch by phone (in much the same way as Pete and his father had done). It seemed strange at first but while they talked regularly, Bill felt that Pete was still with him and so their friendship continued.
A few weeks later, work was so busy that Bill forgot to phone Pete. His mobile phone had rung several times and although he could see it was Pete, he really didn’t have time to answer and in the end he switched it off, as it was distracting him. Bill phoned the next day and apologized to Pete who said that it was okay and that he was always available anytime that his friend wanted to call him.
Sadly, that was just the start! Bill got complacent about contacting Pete and he was so busy that he often didn’t switch on his phone for days. Bill rarely phones Pete now, which is sad because Pete is always ready and waiting to talk with him.
Is there anyone that we should call?
We may say that we follow Jesus, but how much do we talk with him?
Do we need to deepen our relationship with him by speaking with him more than we currently do?
+++
So sad but True!
How many of us, if we are honest, limit our prayers to mealtimes or times of crisis in our lives? How many times do we drift off to sleep having forgotten to even pray at bedtime? Now please don’t misunderstand me. God yearns for us to pray to Him in times of crisis. When we are facing challenges in our lives, He wants us to know He is there for us. Paul even says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6-7
But God wants more than to simply be our source of security when life is hard. He yearns for a deep, intimate relationship with each one of us.
Sometimes at the end of a hoe-hum type of day you may not even know what to pray. Listen to the words of Paul again, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
There are issues, concerns, and even fears present in your heart which are not even the central focus of your mind, but your spirit is aware of them. Because of this, God’s Spirit in you is aware of them. Sometimes we need to just stop and be! It is ok to say to God, “Father, I don’t even know what I should pray for, but I am thankful you are here with me and that I live each day blessed by You.
Remember, you are never alone and more than this, God is always with you so talk to Him. Talk to Him when you are doing housework, or driving down the street (just don’t close your eyes). When you mow the yard or change a diaper. There is never a bad time to talk to God.
Also remember, it is not about posture or language. It is always about relationship!
Be blessed this week.
Pastor Russ
Bill had always found it difficult to make friends, especially at school. He didn’t feel very clever and he wasn’t even good at sports, he felt like a nobody, and it seemed like everyone treated him that way.
Life had been incredibly lonely for Bill but all that had changed when Pete joined the school and soon, they became the very best of friends.
Pete’s father had sent him to Bill’s home town to attend the school. Despite their separation, Bill soon noticed the special bond that Pete and his father had and the way that they often talked on the phone several times a day.
Shortly after he had arrived, a video recording from Pete’s dad saying how proud and pleased that he was with his son was played in an assembly. It provoked quite a reaction from the other students, after all pupils were only ever honored in an assembly if they had achieved or had done something special. In contrast, this message from the father spoke of love and being pleased with his son simply because is shows how a father felt about his son and he wanted everyone to know it.
Bill was intrigued by the special relationship that Pete had with his father! Pete seemed to draw acceptance, security, strength, guidance, and a purpose from his father and Bill noticed that all of these elements were also found by him in his friendship with Pete.
Pete and Bill were inseparable, they learned together, they laughed together, they shared hopes and dreams together, and they even talked about the things that were worrying them.
When they left school, Bill went to work in an office while Pete continued to spend his time befriending people – he didn’t get paid for it, but his father always seemed to ensure that he had enough to live on. They continued to meet up and speak each day, and Bill was grateful for the fulfillment in life that he had found through their friendship.
Several months later, Pete told Bill that he was going home to his father and that one day Bill could come and live with them, but that it wasn’t time yet.
When Pete left, they stayed in touch by phone (in much the same way as Pete and his father had done). It seemed strange at first but while they talked regularly, Bill felt that Pete was still with him and so their friendship continued.
A few weeks later, work was so busy that Bill forgot to phone Pete. His mobile phone had rung several times and although he could see it was Pete, he really didn’t have time to answer and in the end he switched it off, as it was distracting him. Bill phoned the next day and apologized to Pete who said that it was okay and that he was always available anytime that his friend wanted to call him.
Sadly, that was just the start! Bill got complacent about contacting Pete and he was so busy that he often didn’t switch on his phone for days. Bill rarely phones Pete now, which is sad because Pete is always ready and waiting to talk with him.
Is there anyone that we should call?
We may say that we follow Jesus, but how much do we talk with him?
Do we need to deepen our relationship with him by speaking with him more than we currently do?
+++
So sad but True!
How many of us, if we are honest, limit our prayers to mealtimes or times of crisis in our lives? How many times do we drift off to sleep having forgotten to even pray at bedtime? Now please don’t misunderstand me. God yearns for us to pray to Him in times of crisis. When we are facing challenges in our lives, He wants us to know He is there for us. Paul even says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6-7
But God wants more than to simply be our source of security when life is hard. He yearns for a deep, intimate relationship with each one of us.
Sometimes at the end of a hoe-hum type of day you may not even know what to pray. Listen to the words of Paul again, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
There are issues, concerns, and even fears present in your heart which are not even the central focus of your mind, but your spirit is aware of them. Because of this, God’s Spirit in you is aware of them. Sometimes we need to just stop and be! It is ok to say to God, “Father, I don’t even know what I should pray for, but I am thankful you are here with me and that I live each day blessed by You.
Remember, you are never alone and more than this, God is always with you so talk to Him. Talk to Him when you are doing housework, or driving down the street (just don’t close your eyes). When you mow the yard or change a diaper. There is never a bad time to talk to God.
Also remember, it is not about posture or language. It is always about relationship!
Be blessed this week.
Pastor Russ
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