I went to a sports bar to watch our South Africa Soccer team
play against Mali last weekend, and just before I entered the door, the
security guard asked me for my Identity document. His job was to stop all
suspicious looking, under-aged teenagers from going in and purchasing alcohol –
and he took his responsibilities very seriously. To him, I was one of those
rebellious teenagers plodding along in the middle of the night, looking for an
opportunity to get drunk. At first I thought he was joking, because my 30th
Birthday is tomorrow – but he wasn’t. He looked me straight in my eyes and
wasn’t really amused when I told him that I’ve been out of school for thirteen
years. To him, I looked twelve going on fifteen. Needless to say, I was
surprised at the effectiveness of my anti-wrinkle cream!J
Yes, I’m turning thirty. Most of my friends already entered the twilight zone, and to be honest with you I didn’t really understand the big deal. It’s just another birthday after all. Or so I thought. But, when you find yourself going back in the past, appreciating your life, the decisions you’ve made and the adventurers you’ve lived, you realise it’s not just another “candle-blowing, gift-opening” birthday. It is a special moment.
So, to end off my twenties, I’ve decided to write about something that I want to continue cultivating in my thirties, and a topic that is very dear to my heart – Friendship with God.
When I first got saved I wanted to spend as much time possible with my new found friend, Jesus Christ. I remembered making myself coffee after school and sitting on my green bean bag in my room, just talking to God. It was not religious, it was natural. There was no rhyme I had to recite, no formal greeting I had to say before I started my time with God – no, it was a candid conversation about life, school, exams and everything in between. I had much to say, and a lot to learn. When I finally discovered that the Holy Spirit could talk back to me, I was ecstatic. Never again did I feel alone, I had a friend who wanted to listen to me, who wanted to talk to me and give me advice about situations. It didn’t make sense to everyone – especially when I chased people out of my room to “spend time with God.” Some thought I was radical or even crazy – but I didn’t care. I was grateful to have a relationship with a Loving God that I could share my heart with.
Most of my friends also enjoyed fellowship with God. We didn’t really realise what was happening to us. Only later did we discover that most people (especially when they grow older) start neglecting these precious, intimate moments, because they don’t always know how to be vulnerable and weak before God. But for me, it was a gift – the gift of friendship!
His love never failed!
He gave His life for me, His all, so that I can be called His friend, and not a servant anymore.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Yes, I’m turning thirty. Most of my friends already entered the twilight zone, and to be honest with you I didn’t really understand the big deal. It’s just another birthday after all. Or so I thought. But, when you find yourself going back in the past, appreciating your life, the decisions you’ve made and the adventurers you’ve lived, you realise it’s not just another “candle-blowing, gift-opening” birthday. It is a special moment.
So, to end off my twenties, I’ve decided to write about something that I want to continue cultivating in my thirties, and a topic that is very dear to my heart – Friendship with God.
When I first got saved I wanted to spend as much time possible with my new found friend, Jesus Christ. I remembered making myself coffee after school and sitting on my green bean bag in my room, just talking to God. It was not religious, it was natural. There was no rhyme I had to recite, no formal greeting I had to say before I started my time with God – no, it was a candid conversation about life, school, exams and everything in between. I had much to say, and a lot to learn. When I finally discovered that the Holy Spirit could talk back to me, I was ecstatic. Never again did I feel alone, I had a friend who wanted to listen to me, who wanted to talk to me and give me advice about situations. It didn’t make sense to everyone – especially when I chased people out of my room to “spend time with God.” Some thought I was radical or even crazy – but I didn’t care. I was grateful to have a relationship with a Loving God that I could share my heart with.
Most of my friends also enjoyed fellowship with God. We didn’t really realise what was happening to us. Only later did we discover that most people (especially when they grow older) start neglecting these precious, intimate moments, because they don’t always know how to be vulnerable and weak before God. But for me, it was a gift – the gift of friendship!
My friendship with God really gave me confidence. I found
myself more outspoken and bold in situations and more assured of myself. The knowledge
that God had my back made a difference in the way I approached life. I wasn’t scared to be alone, to be an
outcast, to be unpopular – I didn’t want to hang around fake friends anymore -
I wanted God. Something happened to me, a change, a revelation that altered my
life forever. I was no longer the same.
As I grew older, the friendship matured. The time I’ve spend with God gave me a strong foundation
in my teenage years, and it really came in handy as I entered my twenties. I
was confronted with a lot of things, I was tempted and confused – but in all
those situations I could always come back to my Best Friend, Jesus Christ.
There were days when I broke His heart, when I hurt His church, when I rebelled
and ran away – but I could always come back to Him. God never judged me. When I
had no grace for myself, God was there speaking kind words. When I was angry
with life, God listened to me and gently guided me back to truth. When I needed
a way out, God came through for me. When I was in need, He was a very-present
help. When I was afraid, He was the strong tower that I ran to! When no-one
could give me answers, when no-one understood me or cared to listen, God
inclined His ear to me! God provided for
me when I didn’t have any strength left! He helped me through dark valleys and
rejoiced with in victories!His love never failed!
He gave His life for me, His all, so that I can be called His friend, and not a servant anymore.
As I look back, I am grateful for an everlasting friendship,
an eternal friendship. Tomorrow I will turn another page, the 20’s chapter is
closed. But this I know for sure, I will wake up tomorrow and know- I am a
friend of God.
He calls me friend
John 15:12-14
New International Version (NIV)12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
