Pastor's Pen: Jesus is ready and willing to be your true friend

Charlie Landsborough sings of such a friend in his song ‘My forever friend.’ ‘He’s my forever friend, My leave-me-never friend - even when I turn away He cares for me, His love no one can shake, Even as I walk away He’s by my side, with every breath I take, He’s my forever friend….’ The friend Charlie sings about is, of course, Jesus.

Most of us would dearly love to be described as a forever friend, but unfortunately we fail, not because we lack love, compassion, kindness or generosity of spirit, but rather that from time to time we are victims of life’s trials and tribulations, the burden of which we will eventually feel, weighing heavily on us and we become weary to the point that we find it is we who need the blessing of a forever friend.

If you have not yet sought out a friendship with Jesus perhaps it’s time for you to consider having Him as your friend. He came to earth to be your friend, leaving the glory of heaven in search of you, so that you and He would be forever friends. He preached and taught about the eternal and indestructible love of our Heavenly Father, then because of His love for you died the cruel death on the cross at Calvary – He did that for you so that you could spend eternity with Him in paradise.

Charlie’s song has it right, that even if we walk away from Him, He is waiting for us to come back. He doesn’t condemn or berate us for leaving Him, He simply says ‘Glad you’ve come back.’

Jesus is the only one qualified to be called a true friend, which is why we sing, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear.’

Perhaps it’s been a while since you talked with Him. Maybe you have never spoken to Him. Maybe you speak to Him every day. Whatever your relationship with Jesus is, He is waiting, waiting to hear from you. He is ready and willing to be your true friend. Begin with these words, ‘Hi Lord, it’s me.’ He already knows who you are. Get to know who He is.

By Rev Alan Millar