Acquaintance or Friend

by Darla Noble

This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.

John 17:3, 23

I am acquainted with many people.

I can put a face to their name when I hear it. I recognize them when we meet each other in the store aisles or attend the same event. And if the situation called for it, I would be able to carry on a conversation with them. But these people are not my friends. I don’t know them well enough to call them a friend. I don’t know them well enough to trust them with my feelings, to call on them for help, to share my pain, my joy, and my concerns.

And then there are my friends, the ones I trust with my heart and my thoughts. These are the people I know I can go to when I need help. My friends love me no matter what. There is no pretense or formalities, just me.

Jesus is my friend. He is my Savior, my LORD, and the One I obey, but He is also my friend. He is my friend because I know Him and He knows me. There is nothing we wouldn’t do for each other.

Do you really know Jesus, or do you just know who He is? In other words, would you consider Him an acquaintance or a friend?

Pray

Dear Jesus, Be my friend. Stay with me always, And give me the desire to keep my heart completely open to You. I pray in Your Name, Amen.