Chances are we have all encountered individuals who only reach out when they need something. It's a seemingly universal experience to witness shallow friendships during our time on earth. Whether it's the person who only comes to you for homework answers or the peer who prefers to talk about themselves rather than getting to you, these actions never make the receiving person feel good.
Read the next few paragraphs with intention and an imaginative mind. Think about how it feels when you are on the other side of the phone:
An ear
You get a phone call from a friend. When you answer the phone they start ranting about how annoying a certain peer is. They aren't calling to hear what you have to say--quite frankly they could care less. They just need an ear and don't care which one.
The fixer
You get a phone call from a friend. When you answer the phone they start asking you to clean up their mess. They expect you to fix what occurred from their actions. They ask and hangup before you can get a word in.
The option
You get a phone call from a friend. When you answer the phone they ask how you are. For the most part you have a normal conversation. After five minutes of talking there is a pause on the line. They say that they were calling out of boredom and knew you would pick up.
How would any of those three situations make you feel? I've experienced super similar cases throughout my life. It doesn't leave you feeling good that's for sure. It hurts. It makes it hard to form a relationship with the person when you just feel like a second choice. It can make you feel distant from them. How can a strong and healthy relationship even form with such shallow actions?
If you didn't see this coming...I'm relating this to your relationship with God. Ask yourself these questions:
Do you only use God as a place to vent?
Do you only ask God to fix your mess?
Do you only go to God because you have no one else?
Whatever your answers are God knows. He knows when you don't truly want to pursue a friendship with him. He knows when you are just using him as a backup plan. He knows your intentions. He just knows.
It can be so easy to feel distant from God but sometimes we have to take responsibility for the distance. Chances are how your relationship feels at the moment is a reflection of your actions. For example: if you talk to God once a week when you need something you may feel abandoned at times. That's like eating once a week and expecting to remain full. You need to pursue him.
Sometimes thinking about God is a little difficult for me. I mean he is so much bigger than me. It can be hard to wrap my head around having a relationship with him. I don't know if that's just me. If you relate to that at all it may help to think of Jesus. God sent his only son Jesus down on earth. He was human. He knows all human emotions and experiences. He knows what shallow friendships feel like. We all have the opportunity to have an authentic relationship with God. The question is: are you being a good friend to God?
God is not only an ear to listen to your rants but he is also a voice of truth. He wants you to vent to him! Go for it. He is a great friend. He will listen for hours on end. HOWEVER, you have to be willing to listen to him. He holds the answer key of life! Why wouldn't you want to hear from him?
God is not only a great fixer but he is also a great teacher. There are times where he will clean up the mess for you, but that is not guaranteed. Trials are a part of life and the pain makes you stronger.
"after you have suffered a little while, he will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" 1 Peter 5:10.
Don't just go to God to clean it up but go to him because he wants to help you.
God is not only an option but he is the #1 option. He is the ultimate best friend. He will never let you down. He will never talk poorly of you. He will never abandon you. He just wants a relationship with you. All you have to do is pursue him!
The phone is ringing. You pick it up and your friend greets you. Rather than ranting about everything that went wrong that day you decide to thank your best friend for their small acts that made your day better. You are overwhelmed with gratitude and can't help but spend the remainder of your time listening to the plans they have for you. That friend is Jesus and the phone call is infinite and unlimited.
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