I Am Always with You: Part One

Reflecting on the different seasons of life can evoke many memories. Some are great, and we wish we could relive them again. Others are not so great, and we wish we had never had to live them in the first place. Every season of life brings about rewards and challenges.

One of the challenges that comes with going from one season to another is the effect it has on our relationships.  For example, I had a best friend from about 18 months old at daycare through school and into the early part of my young adult years. I remember thinking and even telling my parents that we would always be friends, that nothing would change as we grew older. They told me that we would eventually grow apart, and I was upset that they would say that. But, boy, was I wrong and didn’t know as much as I thought I did, and my parents were right. When we were both 19, we both got married, and what followed was decades of mostly just Christmas cards. We were close throughout our childhood and teen years, but grew apart as adults. 

I’m not saying that it was the fault of either of us. It is just the way it is. I bet you could look back at different times in your life when you had a friend you thought you would always have, only to find that life happens, new priorities take over, and distance from your friend is one of the ramifications. 

Can I give you good news today? There is one who promises to always be with us (Matthew 28:20), and He never changes with different seasons or circumstances, or when we mess up and our faults are evident. He never drifts away from us, is never too busy or distracted, and is always available anytime we call. This friend is Jesus!

You likely know Him as the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, your redeemer and savior, but have you ever considered that you could be friends with God?

Being a friend of God is mentioned about at least two characters in the Old Testament. Abraham was considered a friend of God in James 2:23, where we read, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend” (NIV). It was also mentioned about Moses in Exodus 33:11a, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend…” (NIV). God was not their friend because they were perfect. If we examine their lives in the Bible, we can see they were definitely not perfect. But what they did was rely on God and follow God wholeheartedly, even if imperfectly. 

But then God’s complete revelation of Himself came in the person of Jesus! Jesus was not just “God in man,” but was “God as a man.” He showed us God’s heart for humanity and was the perfect picture of God, and throughout His life, He showed us the many qualities that we all need in our friends. 

For example, let's look at the story of the woman at the well in John 4. We see that even though the woman was a Samaritan, whom Jews did all they could to avoid, and a woman in a patriarchal society, plus she had a checkered past, Jesus saw her as what she could be instead of what she was. Jesus went against cultural norms and societal rules and gave her a chance when no one else would. He saw her fully, even her flaws, and gave her worth. He accepted her and offered her a relationship that transformed her life from one of scorn to one of purpose.

He also didn’t give up on the women caught in adultery in John 8. She was brought to Jesus and publicly humiliated. Her sin and judgment were available for all to see. But Jesus first challenged the hypocrisy of her accusers and did not condemn her Himself, which He could have done since He was sinless and God. Instead, He speaks kindly to her when He says, in John 8:11, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (NIV). Jesus protected, restored, and guided her to a better path for her life. 

We also see the characteristics of friendship from His relationship with three siblings, Mary, Martha, & Lazarus. In Luke 10, in the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus emphasizes the importance of spending time with Him over other things, underscoring His value of personal connection. 

When Lazarus falls ill, he is called Jesus’ friend. John 11:3 says, “So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, ‘Lord, your dear friend is very sick’” (NLT). Jesus was their friend, and when Jesus arrived and Lazarus was dead, Jesus was deeply moved, troubled, and wept. He listened to Mary and Martha, entered into their grief, meeting them in their sorrow. That’s what friends do. 

The most profound example of friendship from Jesus was seen at this same time. Jesus knew that going to Bethany and raising Lazarus from the dead meant there was no turning back from the events that would lead to the religious leaders’ plot against Him. This was a profound act of love for each of us, as it led to His own physical death and His ultimate expression of friendship. John 15:13-15 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (NIV).

Jesus laid down His life for you and invites you into an intimate friendship. Are you willing to enter into that with Him or deepen the friendship that you already have?

Reflection Questions for Part 1 of “I Am With You Always”:

1. Think back on a friendship from an earlier season of your life that has changed or faded over time. What factors contributed to that shift, and how does reflecting on it make you appreciate Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20 to always be with you?

   
   

2. In what ways have life's seasons or your own mistakes caused you to feel distant from others? How does knowing that Jesus never drifts away, gets too busy, or condemns you (as seen in John 8:11) bring comfort or challenge to y

   our current circumstances?
   

3. Consider the story of the woman at the well in John 4. Jesus saw her potential beyond her past and cultural barriers. Where in your life do you need to experience Jesus' accepting, transformative friendship and have a renewed purpose? How can you invite Him into those areas?
   

4. Jesus calls us friends, not just servants, and shares His Father's business with us (John 15:15). How does viewing Jesus as a close friend change your daily interactions with Him? What one step will you take to respond to His invitation for intimate friendship?
   

Watch for part 2, where we will dive into practical steps to either become friends with God or deepen the friendship we already have.

Share this with a friend who may benefit from the message of being a friend of God!

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