Monday, September 14, 2020

HOW TO GET NEW FRIENDS

Dear friends,

A few years ago, Dr. Joe Stowell, renowned Christian author, speaker and educator, related an experience he had on a plane flight. He had just taken his assigned seat next to the window when a family with three small children entered to be seated. The oldest child, perhaps 6-7 years old, was visibly upset that she wouldn’t be sitting by a window and said, “Daddy, you promised I’d get to sit by a window so I could look out, and now they say I can’t.” 

After an exhaustive speaking tour, Dr. Stowell had planned to enjoy some “alone time”, but heard himself telling the mother, “I can move to the inside seat here so she can sit by the window.” The little girl hardly waited for an answer as she quickly bounced over Joe to the window seat. She told Joe her name, then turned to the window to watch the fascinating sights outside the plane. After a few minutes in the air, she reached over to Joe in a gesture to shake hands and said, “Wanna be friends?” The world-famous gentleman said he could only smile at the little girl and say, “Yes, of course!” as they shook hands.

In John 15:15, Jesus told his disciples, “I no longer call you servants. Now I call you my friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Those twelve men could not have realized it then, but the Savior of the world, King of kings and Lord of lords, had just extended His hand to them and said, “Let’s be friends!”

In 1855, Pastor Joseph Scriven remembered those words of Jesus when he penned a poem in Canada to comfort his lonely mother in Ireland. From his little poem, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” grew to become one of Christianity’s most beloved hymns. 

Think of it - the Lord of the Universe considers us His friends! He holds His hand out to us that we might take it and follow Him through life. Some Christians may wish to consider Jesus their Master and Lord, but others are so pleased and grateful to call Him “friend.”

May we value all our friendships, and especially with Jesus, our best friend of all!


Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com 

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