The Great Friend
“Made for Friendship” — Chapter Seven Reflection
Longing for Friendship
In a previous chapter, Pastor Hunter wrote about cultivating friendships with the people in our lives. But, in this last chapter, he writes about cultivating a friendship with Jesus: The Great Friend.
As I thought about what he was saying, I realized that when I first became a Christian in March of 1974, I knew nothing about being a friend with Jesus let alone how to cultivate a friendship with Him, or that He even wanted to be my friend.
I think the first time I understood that Jesus really cared about “me” and wanted to have a relationship/friendship with me was after my husband Jim died. I had remarried and had a brand-new baby and two older kids. I’d been a Christian about eight years and was living “my life.” And gradually I began to drift away not focusing on Jesus or His Word. I was just going to church while doing my thing. It took about two years of me doing that when I came to the realization that I felt totally alone and had no one in my life I could call a friend, or who even cared about me, outside of my family.
I felt completely empty and alone.
Reuniting with The Great Friend
One day I told my husband Tom that I had to get away and “think.” I remember making two thermoses of coffee, getting in my car and I started driving. I had no idea where I was going. But I remember sobbing all the way down the freeway. Finally, I pulled over at a rest stop, and cried out to the Lord, “I don’t know what to do,” and He brought the Scripture to my mind, “Come unto ME all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). At that moment, I knew in my heart that He cared about me, and He would help me return to my first love. I turned the car around and cried all the way back home and told Tom I was going to “re-give” my heart to the Lord.
Jesus showed me at my lowest point that He not only cared about me but also, He was the Friend I so needed and desired. The one who fills my life, who truly knows my heart, and wants a deep relationship with me and He’s the only one I can truly always count on.
Cultivating The Greatest Friendship
So, for me to “cultivate” a relationship with Jesus, I started spending quality time with Him, in His Word, learning to know His heart. (He already knew mine). I spent time talking to Him and learning to hear His voice speak to me. (as I later learned) He said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice.” And I was one of His sheep.
Jesus often speaks to me through His word and through the years it has encouraged me and often corrects me. Spending time in His Word, I learned how much He loved me and gave Himself for His friends and that included me.
I’ve learned over time that cultivating a friendship with Jesus is no different than cultivating a friendship with someone you want to become friends with. Except that having a friendship with Jesus is more fulfilling and He is indeed the “friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). He will never leave you or forsake you, He will not betray confidences or break trust, He is always there when you need Him. Waiting to hear your heart.
I really liked how the author reminded me that no matter how lonely I sometimes feel, Jesus is my friend. And no matter how many friends I may have there are times when I can feel isolated or alone.
With Jesus as my friend, I don’t have to feel lonely. He is there to encourage and comfort me. And no one knows me like He does, or even cares as much as He does.
At the conclusion of this chapter Pastor Hunter speaks about losing friends over the years, and he reminds us that we have the One friend who will never leave us or forsake us. Even through death. That is the kind of friend everyone should have.
