Are You and God BFF’s?

  So, how well do you really know God?  And, more importantly, how well does God know you?  I mean really know you.   In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says there will be those “religious” people at the end of time who will talk about the many things they did in His name, but he will say to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers” (Matt. 7:23b*). These are people who never took the time to get to know Jesus and to spend time with him.  Admittedly, it may sound incredulous that Jesus or God would not know you, but if you think about it, there are a lot of people that you “know of,” and even fewer who you “know who they are” and who “know who you are,” but how many people do you really “KNOW”?  If you are lucky, you may one or two:  perhaps your spouse, or your best friend.  And if you are really lucky, you could have both.  But those relationships did not just suddenly occur.  They took time.  Having someone you trust telling your deepest, darkest secrets to and who will share theirs with you takes a lot of work and a lot of time.  The same is true with God.  

  So, the question is, are you putting in the time and the work to develop a deep, meaningful relationship with God?  God is more interested in us developing that relationship than God is in us being perfect.  Most of the people in the Bible whom we look up to and admire, had a “relationship” with God.  James tells us, “Abraham believed God, …and he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23*). And let’s face it, Abraham was far from perfect.  If you don’t believe me, just read his story from the perspective of Sarah.  It is also important to note in this passage from James when he says Abraham “believed” God.  Too many people today “believe in” God, but don’t actually “believe” God, at least according to their actions.  David, whose name means “beloved,” was also not perfect, but he had a close relationship with the Lord his God and loved God deeply, which is the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37*).  Plus, Samuel tells us that David was a man after God’s own hear (1Sam 13:14*).

  Having a close relationship requires work to find out everything you can about the other person.  Spend time not just reading but studying the scriptures and any other texts you can find that will help you better understand God.  Find out what God expects from us, and what God is all about.  Spend time, quality time, in prayer, preferably contemplative prayer getting to know God and listening for God to speak to you.  Don’t spend your prayer time just telling God what God needs to do, God already know.  Spend your prayer time listening for God to tell you what God needs you to do.  

  Once you have a close, personal relationship with the Lord your God, you will also work in the community healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and giving comfort to those in need, or as Jesus says, the second greatest commandment, “to love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39*).  Doing good works does not help you grow closer to God; growing closer to God makes you do good works.  Work on deepening your relationship with the Lord God Almighty, and everything else will eventually fall into place.

*All biblical references are from the NRSV.