Day Nine // Reading: John 15:14-15

Devotional

Lie: What others think of me determines my value.

TRUTH: What God says about me determines my value. I can’t control others, but I can ask the Holy Spirit to help transform me for the better.

“You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.”

— JOHN 15:14-15, MSG

Today, we are silencing the lie that what other people think about us determines our value. So let’s go deep as we talk about friendship and community, because surrounding yourself with the right people really makes a difference.

Many times, we allow what others say about us to determine our value because we actually value their opinion more than God’s. That’s a truth you can reread. But remember, God wants to be your closest friend. Only He should hold the title of BFF in your life.

A relationship with God is what you and I were created for. He is the best friend we could ever ask for. All other relationships are just icing on the cake. And I don’t think we can ever be the friends we were meant to be with others until we get our identity and fulfillment from God alone. When God is our best friend, His voice matters more to us than the voices of others. In fact, His voice silences all other voices speaking against our identity in Him.

The more time you spend with any friend, the closer you will get. Get to know God through consistent time with Him. Cultivate a longstanding friendship and intimacy with Him. Talk to Him like you would a friend on the phone. Invite Him into your day. Get to know Him by reading His love letter to you, the Bible.

When our identity takes its cues from our earthly friendships—such as how many friends we have, who likes us, whether or not we make all our friends happy, the number of likes we have on social media, or ensuring that everyone is speaking well of us—it’s a recipe for disaster.

We need to stand in confidence in who we are—in Whose we are—before we can cultivate healthy friendships with others.

My friendship with God is the most cherished friendship I have. It can be yours too. Come to Him just as you are. Just be you, the God-created version of you. He loves that version the best. Let God’s voice trump all others!

Prayer: God, will you be my best friend? I give all of my life to you. Help me seek You as the first One I go to for advice, the One whose opinion matters most to me. Create in me the desire to value our friendship above all others.

Question: How can I cultivate my friendship with God this week?