Our 80s party was a success. It was silly and fun and everything I thought it would be. For us, this wasn’t just any ordinary theme party. We relived memories. We talked about who we were then compared to who we are now. We celebrated our ever evolving friendships with each other. (We screamed in laughter as a friend threw his hip out of place while dancing. We are no spring chickens. We know this.)
At the end of the night, when I finally rested my head on my pillow, I began thinking of how blessed I am to have so many amazing people in my life. Not just the friends who were at the party, but everyone with whom I am closely connected. As I began to pray, and thank God for my friendships, Abraham came to mind.
In Genesis 15 we learn about God’s covenant with Abram (Abraham). After God gives Abram the promise of his descendant’s, verse 16 says this…
Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. (N.K.J.V.)
This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between God and Abram. We find evidence of this in James 2:23.
James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. (N.K.J.V.)
It took me a long time to digest that God also thinks of me as His friend. – mostly, because I desperately need a savior and a Father. I already have several friends, and when my soul cries out for nourishment, only a savior will suffice.
But then the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson emerged in my thoughts, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” In this selfish world in which we live and breathe, those words are very true, and depending on our behavior, scary as well. If we allowed our thought bubbles to escape our mouths with void of compassion, we wouldn’t have many friends at all. If we never made time for our friends and refused to make investments in relationships, we would be unable to form close bonds. Unfortunately, sometimes we have a habit of thinking with a “What is in it for me?” mentality.
There were many days in my life that I was not shy to confess to others how much I loved my Savior, but I rarely mentioned it to Him. Yet, He called me His friend. I accepted His Son, which He ransomed for my life, and all too often I spent little or no time with Him. He still called me His friend. I didn’t make nearly the investment I should have in our relationship. He still called me His friend. When life seemed hopeless I ran to Him first, and regardless of my past selfishness, He was there. My true Friend…
I don’t deserve Him, and I never will.
Through spending time in prayer and in His word, my egocentric side has been dying a little bit at a time. It is a day-by-day process. I am so grateful that He is everything I could ever need. He is my Creator, Savior, Father, FRIEND, and so much more.
I am the friend of God. And if you have accepted him into your heart and life, you are also the friend of God. Take courage; run to your Friend!
Now, at the risk of losing all credibility with you, here are some pictures from the 80s party.