The Miracle Of Friendship

We can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Romans 5:11

Friendship with other women has truly been a wonderful gift in my life. I’ve found that friends can be a source of comfort in times of need. Friends lift us up, pray for us, encourage us, laugh with us, and cry with us when we’re sad. Yet as precious as these earthly relationships are, the truth is that in and of itself human friendship can’t fill the God-shaped space in our hearts. That space was created for relationship with our Creator. Fame can’t fill it; no amount of wealth, stardom, or success can meet that longing for connection.

At age twenty-nine I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus and began to discover that I was invited into friendship with the Father, all because of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. No longer was I an outsider, a stranger, or merely a servant. What a miracle—I was a friend of God!

How amazing it is that we are offered friendship with the King of the universe. He is our greatest and best encourager, especially in difficult times—2 Corinthians 7:6 says that God encourages those who are discouraged. Sometimes when we are overwhelmed by fear or sorrow, our friends are fast asleep. But Christ is the friend who never slumbers nor sleeps. Favorite friends may move away, but he is always with us, even until the end of the world. Jesus listens to us and prays for us constantly. He invites us to walk with him and talk with him, to roll our burdens and cares upon his shoulders, and to experience his peace. What a friend we have in Jesus!

Thank you for your unconditional love and friendship, Lord. Thank you for calling me your friend and laying down your life that I might know you and spend eternity with you.

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

“What A Friend We Have In Jesus” By Joseph Scriven(1820–1886), Irish-Canadian hymn writer