When I was in elementary school I had a best friend. Her name was Christie Morris. We went to Jane Addams Elementary school in Oakhurst, Oklahoma together. In the summer I would spin the night at her house on her birthday. We would have so much fun. We would laugh and have little girl conversations. When we wrote letters to each other we would sign it "Your B.F" (best friend). We were kindred spirits. Her personality went with mine. We had similar likes and dislikes. We liked to draw. We even made little booklets we called Charm booklets. The little folded paper booklets had games, jokes, and drawings in them. Having a friend like Christie was a gift. Through the years I've had many acquaintances but I've only had a few really good friends. Those that I can relax and feel comfortable around, relate to, and enjoy their company.
Summary Sentence: God wants to be your best friend.
Imagine this, the Almighty God and Ruler of all the universe wants to have a friendship with you. In fact, He wants to be your best friend. In the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren refers to a book written in the 17th Century by a man named Brother Lawrence. He was a humble cook in a French monastery. The book is called Practicing the Presence of God. The passion of Bro. Lawrence's life was continuously acknowledge God is near and available to talk to. He would worship God through the common tasks of life. He said the key to friendship with God is not changing what you do, but changing your attitude toward what you do. This statement reminds of a Bible verse written by the Apostle Paul found in 1 Corinthians. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
Why would we want to make God our best friend? Most people only think to give God and Jesus attention in a church service or when a family emergency arises and you need to pray. If we are Christians we should want God to become our best friend because He did so much for us by giving us eternal life through His son Jesus.
How do we go about becoming best friends with God? We do so, by using Brother Lawrence's example. We begin to train our mind to remember God throughout the day in all the tiny details of our life. Besides God is there and is incredibly familiar with each of these details anyway. He loves it when we acknowledge His presence. In fact, there's another verse that comes to mind. Found in the Proverbs 3, it says, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
Here are three practical ways to have God on your mind throughout the day:
1. Pray. Throughout your day, pray. Pray short simple words to God. Let your first waking thought be a one sentence prayer--"Jesus, help me do today what you would want me to do." If you start thinking the wrong thoughts at any time in a day and want to get them out of your head, say, "Jesus, forgive me for thinking that, help me to think the right thing."
2. Attitude of Thanks. Have an attitude of thanks to God for the many blessings He has given you. If something turns out really great for you don't have a cocky attitude and consider yourself lucky, Stop! and acknowledge God and say thank you to God for such sweetness in life. Thank God for as many things that you can possibly be thankful for.
3. Memorize a Bible verse. Here's what I like to do. Write out a Bible verse on an index card and then try to memorize it in a day. Then after it is memorized bring it up in your brain from time to time. Proverbs 3:5&6 is a good start.
It will take practice, practicing the presence of God and making him your best friend but there's nothing that could be better for you. Just like I said before, "You are the company you keep."
Posted by Linda at March 29, 2005 08:06 PM