Friends of God

By MEGAN SITES

John 15:12-17 says this, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.This is my command: Love each other.”

This is one of my favorite moments of scripture.  Jesus tells us exactly what kind of relationship He is looking for in me.  He isn’t looking for servants or slaves to take care of the land He created, or to run around doing mundane tasks for Him because, after all, He is the King of all creation and if this is what He wanted, then by all means this is what He should get.  But that is not what He wants. Instead, He says He is looking for friends. People who will love and serve the people He has created.

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT Allow this reality to sink in.  We are invited to be friends of God.  He is looking to us for friendship, not because He needs us but because He wants us!  He says that we didn’t choose Him but that He chose us.  He wants us! Does this change the way you think about spending time with Him, or how you feel about extending kindness to your neighbor?  It does for me. It makes those things not just items to check off a to-do list, but actually and invitation into a deeper relationships, invitations into all that the Father has for me and you.  Consider praying today for a closer friendship with God and with others, and ask the Father to show you what you can grow in in order to experience this blessing more richly.

PRAYER God, how incredibly blessed I am that I worship a God who craves relationship with me, who is far more interested in being my friend than making sure He has enough help working the land.  You are so kind. Help me to remember thes