How many times have you heard in a sermon that God is your best friend?
How many times have you not really felt like you grasp that concept?
In theory, you get it. He listens, He gave everything for me, He is always there. You know, 'best friend' things.
Yet how often do you really feel that best-friend feeling?
The answer will be different for everyone, but I have found my ability to understand God as a friend is directly connected to the intimacy of my prayer life. I've never been great at real 'prayer life'. Spending specific chunks of time talking to God, making lists of things to talk about, petitioning for this or that. I got over feeling guilty about that a long time ago, because I would rather figure out how prayer works for me than struggle through a structure I clearly wasn't created for.
When I see something that reminds me of God, I'll talk to Him. If I haven't seen anything that reminds me of Him in awhile, I'll tell Him. If I feel like He's had no part of my life for the last 3 days, I don't feign excuses or false guilt, I tell Him exactly how I feel about every situation. Honesty honesty honesty, and always a willingness to move forward.
In the end, there is no point at pretending like the feelings of your heart aren't there - especially when dealing with God. The wonderful thing you will discover is that a friend understands even your worst (but honest) feelings - and loves you through them.
Even better? God is WAY better at fixing stuff than most of our other friends :)
*sigh* back to homework. <3>
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I agree about the goodness of prayer to connect with God. I've learned so much about God's character--his personality, even--these last few months, praying for God to raise our support. The gifts He gives when we pray teach us about His heart--that He listens to us, that He's helping us to love what He loves.
ReplyDeleteLuke 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
(from New International Version)