This year one of the things on my to do list was to be more consistent in blogging. Setting some time aside either before or after my devotional and when Ray would disappear into his "Man Corner" - I would spend some time sharing what was on my heart. I started the year off good! I was on a roll... and then bammmmm - God hit the breaks - yeah just like that - "time to hit the breaks". Oh my goodness!!! What is going on here!!! AHHHHH!!!!
Those of you who know me, know I don't have a problem writing about something or coming up with some idea to write about... there is always something spinning in my mind!!! But I tell you I was not able to write. I would come and sit open my laptop and type a couple of words all of which were empty words. Okay - maybe tomorrow... tomorrow would come and nothing... ughhhhh!!!!
Its interesting when you share with others about opening your heart, being sensitive, forgiving, etc... that things begin to happen in your own life. You see Jesus is very real to me - He is not something or someone that I just read about in a "book"... I have a relationship with Him - someone I can turn to and share my heart, my concerns, my fears, when I'm upset and He gives me wisdom, direction, discernment, and the comfort that I need... But you see a real relationship is a two way street - when both parties share, there is good and bad that comes out in a conversation. When I am walking down the wrong path, or I do something wrong, when there is sin in my life... the Lord lets me know - sometimes in a loving way and sometimes, well lets just say its not so loving. Its hard because no one likes to be called out by someone but to be called out by the Lord... that is not so cool. What I have learned throughout the years is that the Lord's discipline is a response of His love for us and His desire for each of us to be holy.
“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” Proverbs 3:11-12
I had to stop and pray and ask God to show me what is going on and when we go to Him - He reveals what is going on - He bought something up to the surface and reminded me that even though its great that I am sharing all this stuff with others - how about my own life??
Jesus - my Lord and Savior... who healed the sick, made the blind see, fed thousands with a little bread and fish... Jesus - who is man - the son of God almighty... Jesus... my Comforter... the forgiver of sins and giver of everlasting life... who suffered, hung on a cross, died and was raised... He is that and sooo much more wants to speak to my heart...
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this,
that someone lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
No longer do I call you servants,
for the servant does not know what his master is doing;
but I have called you friends,
for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:12-15
We read that as His children, he disciplines us... and here we read that He calls us His friend. When there is something going on in our lives - when we are doing something wrong, gossiping, lying, talking nonsense, not reading our bible, not going to church, etc... do we have someone that will call us out in love... that will ask us what is happening? Or are we that type of friend that we can approach the other person and ask them if things are okay? Or do we tend to hold back for fear of what might be thought of us...
How awesome is this that we do have that type of friend in Jesus. Sometimes we get so caught up in finding friends... that we neglect our greatest Friend. I know there have been times when its happened to me. Now I want to make one thing clear - that when I call Jesus my friend - I am not saying he is my buddy or BFF or my homeboy. He is my Friend and I say this with all reverence.
Jesus knows our weaknesses and the good in us. He is not a friend who would encourage us to remain in our weakness, or to become stunted in our growth -
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14
Although we know that Jesus is our friend, can we say that we are His friends? Its easy for us to bombard Him with all these things going on in our lives and all our prayer requests - but do we take the time to listen to Him? Do we want to know what’s on His heart? To be a friend of Jesus, we need to listen to what He wants us to know.
I have been giving out these pretty little plaques to my Daughters of the King... it something that I need to be reminded of and I wanted to share it with them so they can have it as reminders - it reads: "Let us be silent - that we may hear the whisper of God". It was time for me to be silent and hear my Friend's whisper.
In my vivid mind I can easily see as He sat beside me and spoke to my heart and encouraged me for what I was doing, He reminded me of the lessons that I am teaching my daughter Elizabeth regarding how she needs to be sensitive to others and what it truly means to be a friend, to be understanding, to accept apologies and to forgive others. Ouch... but Jesus - I am... I did this and this and that!! Don't you remember Jesus? And I just see Him sitting there listening to me, all the while knowing what is in my heart. And oh so gently He says but how about this time - as the thoughts come into my heart... did I go that extra mile?? did I share my heart?? did I truly ask for forgiveness?? did I take the time to feel how I may have hurt my friend?? Or did I let myself be distracted and just shrugged it off... how my heart hurt.
The next day I remember sitting at work and that morning and all I could think about was how I needed to make things right with my friend. My heart was heavy and I couldn't believe I let all this time go by. I couldn't believe I was sharing with the Daughters of the King the importance of being sensitive and I didn't follow in my own words.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1
I am to be an imitator of Christ... for my children and for those who cross my path and those I teach. I can't just say I love you, do this and that, and go on your way and I not do as Jesus would do.
That morning I sent my friend a text and asked if we could meet. To be honest it was scary because I had to be honest and real... I just couldn't say I'm sorry for hurting your feelings... God wanted me to be real and specific. Its a blessing that this woman has a beautiful heart and she didn't just hear my words but my heart and accepted my apology. I had to be obedient to my Friend... How could I minister to these beautiful young ladies when I wasn't able to do what I was sharing with them.
The real definition of a true friend comes from the Apostle Paul:
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:7-8.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends
John 15:13
Now, that is true friendship! I am so thankful that I have a Friend - Jesus - who gave His life for me.
How can I end this... I found this hymn that sums it all up:
They tried my Lord and Master,
With no one to defend;
Within the halls of Pilate
He stood without a friend.
I’ll be a friend to Jesus,
My life for Him I’ll spend;
I’ll be a friend to Jesus,
Until my years shall end.
The world may turn against Him,
I’ll love Him to the end,
And while on earth I’m living,
My Lord shall have a friend.
I’ll do what He may bid me;
I’ll go where He may send;
I’ll try each flying moment
To prove that I’m His friend.
To all who need a Savior,
My Friend I’ll recommend;
Because He brought salvation,
Is why I am His friend.
Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Do you need to make things right with someone? Do you have a friend you have hurt or offended? I want to encourage you to make things right... take the time to speak to that person - or send a note. Remember we are to be imitators of Christ... Ask yourself that famous question: WWJD - What would Jesus do??
