James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
My husband and I have recently been reading On the Road with St. Augustine. We just came to the part where Augustine realizes what a life of striving could not accomplish. “This very moment I may, if I desire, become the friend of God,” he says.
Being God’s friend.
I hadn’t really considered friendship with God as a specific life goal. I think of aspirations more in terms of letting my light shine and of doing my best to walk in truth, integrity, faith and love. Or using my gifts to advance his kingdom and one day hear him say, “Well done.” Yet deeper reflection on being God’s friend opens up a whole new universe of how to do life.
God offers those who seek him the intimacy of friendship. It’s a friendship strong enough to rescue us from the horrors of hell, yet tender enough to comfort us when our circumstances don’t work out like we hoped. This friendship with God presses us to be our best but remains faithful when we’re at our worst. And it meets us in our lonely hours with sweet companionship. How profound, how incredible, how amazing to be called God’s friend!
Far from lessening our worship of God, our friendship with him deepens it. He remains our Lord and Savior even as he broadens the relationship. Such multifaceted relationships run like connecting threads throughout life. My mom became my friend at some point, yet she remained my mom to the end. We ought not think it sacrilegious to think of God in terms of friendship.
Scripture tells us Abraham was God’s friend. He believed God and obeyed what he told him to do, even packing up all his belongings and heading toward an unknown destination. Such trust endeared him to God, resulting in a bond you and I are given the opportunity to emulate.
It makes me wonder about my life’s aspiration. I don’t think, in the end, my accomplishments in life (or lack thereof) will matter a whit. I think the greatest epitaph I could hope for might be: She was God’s friend.
How about you? Does Augustine’s realization pull at your heart? Do you know at this very moment, you may, if you desire, become the friend of God? I pray you don’t miss it.