John 15:13-15—”Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his 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.”
When you walk on the corridors of your office (or college), your eyes spot your boss (or your friend) who helped you out of a tight spot recently. What do you think will be the most common response? You acknowledge their presence with a big warm smile, nod or warm handshake?
Now picture this. You have a ‘close’ friend who always looks out for you, ensures you are safe and provided for, advises you, loves you, guides you in the right direction in their infinite wisdom. How would you behave? You would:
– show your familiarity and solidarity?
– thank them for what they did?
– remind them about followups from the past incident?
– feel easier to approach them with something else?
Does this ring a bell?
Everyday when we get on our knees we:
1-Evidence familiarity: Almighty Father God, we love/adore you, we praise/worship you, beautiful Father…
2-Thank: Thank you for your grace, mercy, provision, …
3-Remind of promise: Lord knower of all things especially in my life, you said …/ I hold on to your Word…
4-Approach for current situation/need: Father I need Your help in my exams/work/relationship/self to change/lives of my children…
Do you see a similarity? This is called relationship. We do not have a religion with God. We do not have a tradition with God. We have a personal relationship with God.
Father God, we praise and love you. We thank you for calling us ‘friends’, for our life and everything that you put into it daily. We believe your words “Behold, I make all things new” and ask in faith – renew us Lord. In Jesus’ name we ask…Amen.
