July-September
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
The revelation of Jesus Christ impacted my life greatly in my experience during the missionary school program at Plymouth Leadership College in California. There, I joined like-minded youth in a pursuit of Bible knowledge and to seek a deeper relationship with Christ.
Paired with a few adventures and bonds that were formed between the students, also came the realization of my need of Christ in my daily activities. Missionary school exercised my faith and proved that Jesus is always there to carry you along the way. He was there during the studies when they were long and the times when there were heavy topics that were hard for the mind to understand. He gave me energy to study and prepare for the exams that would take place at the end of the week. Something we depended on a lot was prayer. We prayed for everything. It was our secret super-power. Prayers were answered on every Friday morning as we began our exams. Prayers were sent up during our many encounters in evangelism where people would hear the message of Jesus Christ for the first time or needed encouragement in their life struggles. Jesus was a friend in my time of need when each student was required to present a study, whether it was for prayer meeting or divine service. He helped me present the topic and I am forever grateful for it. Likewise, Jesus Christ gave me the inspiration to write many essays based on the difficult topics and many doctrines of the truth that we had learned during class. He helped throughout this wonderful experience and really helped me see how He works for those who love Him. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Now that my experience with Christ has been shared, what is this friendship with Christ—and how can you obtain it? It is to be known that Jesus is not merely a temporary friend, but rather He lives eternally and will never abandon you. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” He will never choose to be a friend one day and leave the next day. Psalm 37:33 says, “The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.” This confirms that He will not leave you. Jesus has made countless sacrifices in order for your friendship with Him to be possible. He has made efforts to reach out to you and make sure that nothing separates you from Him. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus sacrificed His status in heaven and His throne and honor to save His relationship with us.
“Jesus gave His life for you. Like a child who has full confidence in his parents, and who is not troubled for fear of being taken advantage of and misused, you may rest in God with perfect confidence that He will be to you a friend and a helper.”—In Heavenly Places, p. 305. He is the cornerstone and the firm foundation in your life.
“Jesus is our constant friend. We are to look to him moment by moment, and by looking to him we are to live. . . . It is enough for us if our life is hid with Christ in God. If the life of Jesus is in us, we shall seek the glory of God in everything. We shall daily humble our hearts before God, and at the foot of the cross we shall have distinct views of the loveliness of Christ. We shall make Christ first, and last, and best in everything. We cannot glorify God if we place man where God should be. Not a word of praise should be diverted from God to sinful men. But if we walk humbly with God, working the works of Christ, our characters will become like that of our Lord; and when we most nearly reflect the likeness of Christ, we are giving the greatest honor to God.”—The Review and Herald, December 2, 1890. Jesus is our source of life and He desires for us to live according to His will. He wants us to confide in Him when we feel discouraged and to be the first Person we talk to. He longs for us to live day-to-day with Him in the hope that one day He will see us beside Him in heaven.
“Let every word we utter, every line we trace with the pen, give evidence of unwavering faith. Let us not think that Jesus is the Saviour of some one else, but that He is our personal friend.”—Ibid., June 9, 1896. From the beginning, it has been Jesus’ aim that He should be our friend. Believing in Him results in faith being exercised, as seen above.
In order for us to gain friends in real life, what must we do? The key verse explains perfectly that “a man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” Proverbs 18:24 (first part).
Similarly, in searching for a relationship, Jesus wants us to be receptive to Him as you would be to a close friend. He wishes for you to tell Him all your worries and to tell Him of all your blessings, too. He appreciates a soft, quiet prayer in the morning and the night. He is then able to communicate with you and help you about your day also. He does not only listen—but He has the power to help you as well. As you continue to put trust in Him, His power is revealed, and His infinite love is revealed.
In order for you and Jesus to form a stronger bond, we should further examine what human friendships hold in order for us to see what would bring Jesus closer to us. When you and a friend meet together, you tend to do things you both like and enjoy. Maybe it is a short walk or studying the Bible together. Similarly, Jesus has His hobbies and interests that He wishes to engage in with you. He enjoys communicating with you during your devotions in the morning. And short walks with Him allow your mind to be impressed by Him. He also enjoys hearing your voice in praises you sing during worship. Instrumental praise is also encouraged to show Jesus that you love Him. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1, 2). Why should we do these things? In John 14:15 it says “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” When we love our friends we like to do things that make them happy. Sometimes it might be things that may not interest us much—but we still do it because we love them. The same can be for Jesus; we do the things He asks because we love to make Him happy.
Now that I have shared my experience with Christ and have shared how you too can obtain this experience, it is now up to you what you do with it. Jesus made His step and reached out to me to be my guide in tough times. I admitted my inability to continue on my own and therefore took His hand—and He lifted me onto a higher, steady ground. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). He gave me peace in a time full of concern and calmed that stormy sea of uncertainty and was a comfort during a time I felt alone. . . . I encourage you to take the nearest opportunity you have to take hold of His hand as well. I can say for certain that you will not have any regrets. He now gives you the opportunity to choose His way: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7).
Simply be open to accept His offer. He chooses to wait for you to ask in order for you to understand that you cannot do it yourself and indeed need His help. And when you accept, you too will receive hope and help in dark times.
In conclusion, Jesus bids us to follow Him and trust Him in His ways. He explains, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).
Jesus carried me through the tough times and became a friend to me. My simple wish is that you may experience that same Jesus—the friend.