When I was younger I used to imagine that God was like the Wizard of Oz. I just knew he was this larger than life figure that I was deathly afraid of. Thankfully as I grew up I got to know him better and understood that he wasn’t anything to be afraid of at all. Over the years, as I have needed him more and more, he’s become the very definition of a friend.
Last week I talked about friendship between our peers but today this post is about friendship with God himself. God is interested in every aspect of our lives, from what we eat to what we wear. I used to think that there was a certain way you had to pray to be heard by God. I’ve learned In recent years that my most honest, sincere prayers are just conversations with God. He already knows how you feel and what you think so I just cut out all the other stuff and started being honest. I found that there was so much intimacy in just being honest and having a place where I didn’t feel like I had to hide. It was in those moments that I felt his presence and love the most. It was where I found the peace that surpassed anything I could ever understand. Needing that peace brought me back every time I had a problem or needed comforting. It begin with big things that I had no control over anyway and began to shift to little everyday things.
God knows what’s ahead of us and asking for his guidance on the little things only ensures that you’re prepared for wherever his will plans on taking you that day. Getting to know God as a friend has helped me to pick better friends that have those same characteristics.
Today I encourage you to strip away the formality of prayer and just begin having conversations with him. I believe it will deepen your relationship with Him, yourself and others.
Below are a few scriptures to keep in mind for the week as you get closer to God.
John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:14
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
1 John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for
-Sabrina
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