You know, the day you dress your child and send them off into the world is a difficult one.
The minutes drag past into hours and you can not wait until they come home again to tell you all about their day. Matthew's daughter did just that. As she began to tell him about that awe inspiring first day of kindergarten and the NEW BEST friend she made there, her parents, excited for her asked, "What's your new best friend's name?" She stopped, thought for a moment, rolled her eyes up to the top of her head as if she was trying to find the answer inside her head and replied; "I don't know, BUT she's my best friend!"
Here Matthew gives us some of his testimony: "I have a best friend too. One Who knows me better than anyone does. One Who has never left me. One Who loves me deeply. My best friend carries me through my most difficult days. I talk about my best friend often. I even write books and compose and record songs proclaiming how much I love my best friend and how much He loves me. Yes, like Lu Lu after her first day I can shout, "I've got a best friend,"
I too have a best friend...do you have that kind of friendship with the One Who loves you deeply? The one Who has never and will never leave you? The One who knows ALL of the awful terrible things about you that you would never actually tell another person? He will carry you through even your most difficult, your most lonely days...He is THAT personal a friend.
The Sunday School stories about this man fascinated Matthew as he was growing up and attending Sunday School. Do you know the about the time Jesus put mud on that guys eyes that was blind and then he could see? It's right here in John 9 (so much to unpack in that chapter, but for now I will just say, take special note of the question the disciples asked him, "Who sinned this man or his parents that he would be born blind?" and His answer, "NEITHER this man nor his parents sinned but it was so that the works of God might be displayed and illustrated in him."
Do you know the story about that time people had gathered to listen to Him teach and they grew hungry and they were so far out in the country side they couldn't just run on down to the market and grab lunch? So Jesus took what was available (five loaves of bread, (which would have been about the size of a pita pocket) and two fish) and fed a crowd of over 5,000. (you can read all about it here.) What about that time He brought His friend Lazarus back from the dead? (John 11:1-45) Or how about when He took the place of the guilty and sacrificed His innocent life in their stead? (Luke 23)
Finally, this guy Jesus, rose from the grave three days later, after sacrificing Himself. (Luke 24)
The first time Matthew read about this Jesus, he felt an undeniable stirring in His soul. Have you read the above Scriptures chronicling what Jesus has done? The Scriptures say, "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 Matthew goes on to explain that the MOST amazing thing in all of this is that THIS exalted Jesus, to whom EVERY knee will bow and every tongue will confess calls US FRIENDS. "I do not call you servants any longer...but I have called you [MY] friends..."
So...is HE your friend?
If He's not...read His Word, get to know Him...ASK Him to reveal Himself to you.
If He is, are you close? GREAT! Keep doing what your doing...
If your not close...that's ok...He hasn't left you, even if you've gotten angry and stalked off.
Don't forget the POWER that is in HIS name.
Oscar Wilde wrote:
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
The truth IS that each of us live THAT way, because this journey we are on demands us to be honest with ourselves in a way that makes us feel every excruciating thing that is not real and honest. Matthew reminds us that we were never created to be mere copies. We were meant to leave our one of a kind fingerprint on this world. Not a single one of us is exactly the same, Not identical twins, not even snow flakes are the same. And WE have been created with a purpose, and He has promised that not only were we part of His plan but that He has a purpose for YOU and for ME.
"For I know the plans I have for you...plans for good and for for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
Matthew rattles off some rapid fire questions, ready?
Don't know who you are? GOD DOES
Don't have a plan for your life? GOD DOES
Don't see any hope? GOD DOES
Don't see anything but disaster? GOD DOES
Discovering our true identity doesn't begin by looking within, but by looking OUTSIDE to the One Who made us. There is no greater authority than the One Who gave you life.
In closing. I want to add that this week was/is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Twelve years ago that storm ripped through our state and wrecked our lives and we were for a millisecond without hope, till we shook our heads opened our tear stained eyes and looked toward the hills. There came our help. Our home is rebuilt, our lives are restored and we are stronger now than we were post-Katrina. Our friends to the west are struggling and hurting due to another monster storm. I sat in front of the television for days, crying, broken-hearted, suffering from flash-backs and remembering all that we suffered and THEN I remembered ALL the blessings that I received and I got up and helped in gathering items for those who were affected. They have a long road ahead of them.
If you feel lead to help, there is a facebook group called NORTHSHORE FLOOD RELIEF VOLUNTEERS or the CAJUN NAVY. Either group is an excellent group to donate funds to as 100% of your $ reaches the victims.
Finally, for further study, answer these questions during your private time:
1) If Jesus is your best friend, how is it possible to forget His name and the power in that name?
2) When do you forget who you are and end up living someone else's life, rather than the one God has for you?
3) Read Jeremiah 29:11 (my favorite version is the amplified) Meditate on what it says. God says He has great plans for you. How can you live in such a way that shows you believe that promise? When (and why) do you struggle to believe it?
As always I welcome comments and e-mails...I love hearing from you guys! <3 p="">
XOXO
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