Friendship & Belonging

Jesus did not come to the earth to reprimand us or to use our weaknesses against us. He did not come to hold his perfection over our heads or point out everything we are doing wrong. Rather, he came as a friend to show us the way to the Father. His love sets us free and ushers us into God’s eternal kingdom.

Jesus calls you his friend. Think about your closest friends and what your relationships with them look like. You likely share each other’s sorrows and victories. You probably provide practical help to each other and are blessed by each other’s company. The bottom line is that you have a relationship because you want one, and you enjoy it. True connection isn’t built out of obligation. We don’t maintain healthy friendships with people we don’t want to be with.

This is how Jesus wants to relate to you. He is not concerned with perfection or compliance. He doesn’t want you to submit to him out of fear, and he doesn’t want you to be bound to him in obligation. He enjoys you, and he wants a relationship with you. He wants to have a connection with you that is based on love, mercy, and grace. He wants you to know how much the Father loves you, and how valuable you are to him.

Cultivating a genuine friendship with Jesus is similar to cultivating any other relationship. You can bring him your dreams, worries, and frustrations. You can ask him for help when you need it, trusting that he is happy to show up for you. You can include him in the details of your day and enjoy the companionship of his presence. He cares deeply about every part of your life, and he loves it when you share it with him.

How can you cultivate a deeper friendship with Christ today?