🟢 Is God in your Close Friends?

You might know God as Creator, understanding how He put Heaven and earth together, as Father because of the way He takes care of you, and as Provider because He always comes through (period).

But what about God as a friend?

God desires genuine friendship with us, not a surface-level connection, but as our BEST FRIEND — the kind you add to your Close Friends list on Instagram. He is passionate about His relationship with us, never taking it lightly. Human friendships, on the other hand, sometimes fall short, leaving us disappointed or hurt. Thankfully, God doesn’t friend as our human friends do. His friendship, simply put — hits different.

While not everyone in the Bible is described as a friend of God, key characters like Abraham and Moses earned the right to this title through their steadfast obedience

But how do we begin to explore this type of friendship with God?

Following in their footsteps, obedience forms the bedrock of our connection with God. It grants us the privilege of being called His friend, but to truly cultivate intimacy with God, we must spend quality time in His presence, enabling us (the sheep) to recognize His voice (the Shepherd), his character, and his desires.

While it’s beneficial to hear from pastors and engage with your favorite Christian influencer’s content on social media, fostering an intimate relationship with God demands a personal encounter—a one-on-one connection. Friendship with God isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, but one thing is certain: He wants you to come to Him as yourself. Whether it's through delving into scripture or inviting God into our daily routines, even decisions like what to wear or how to exercise, by intentionally cultivating these intimate moments, we strengthen our bond with Him.

Have you ever been part of a group friendship where you never spent one-on-one time with the individuals in the group? That's friendship by association. Personal encounters are vital for nurturing A friendship with God, as they enable us to know him beyond surface-level associations.

As we deepen our intimacy with God, our desires gradually align with His, and our character undergoes a transformation to reflect His likeness. Just as in any close friendship, we naturally begin to care about what's important to our friend, perhaps adopting similar habits or expressions. Similarly, in our friendship with God, we find ourselves drawn to the things that He values, sharing in His joys and sorrows, and rejoicing over what brings Him pleasure.

Prayer

God, you are a friend like no other. Even when human friendships fall short, you surpass all expectations. Guide us to anchor our hope in you as our best friend, to bring the things on our hearts to you as we would to any close relationship because you care and you’re always there. Empower us to nurture a genuine friendship with you through obedience, intentional time together, and a deepening understanding of your Word.

📖 Scriptures: Exodus 34:14, John 15:6, James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8, Exodus 33:11, John 15:14-15

— After reading Sunday devo, I often find solace in worship music. If you're inclined to do the same, here are some of my favorite 🎵playlists.

〰T.