Is Jesus Your Best Friend...Or Just An Acquaintance?

      Do you have a best friend?  I do.  My best friend (besides my husband...and my daughter) is Robyn.  I have known her for 38 years.  She's in Arizona, and I'm in Indiana. So, needless to say, we don't see each other very much.  In fact, for 17 years we had lost track of one another, and it wasn't until I found her in a phone book while in the Phoenix airport nine years ago, that we reconnected.  Now I look forward to her emails and her phone calls--even messages/comments she puts on Facebook!  It makes me feel closer to her.  And that's important, because she's my best friend.
      During my quiet time recently, I started thinking about the difference between best friends and acquaintances.  Then I realized that for some Christians, Jesus is more of an acquaintance than a best friend. They know Him as their Savior, and they call on Him from time to time, but that's about it.  I speak from experience.  For many years, I would have to say that Jesus was more of an acquaintance to me than a best friend. But for several years now, I can honestly say that He truly has been my best friend.
      This has led me to make several observations, determining the difference between a "best friend" and an "acquaintance."  As you read the following observations, insert the name of your best friend.  Then, insert "Jesus" in place of "best friend." This may help you discover whether or not He truly is your best friend.

1. There is a noticeable difference between how you feel in the presence of an acquaintance and how you feel when you're around your best friend.
2. Best friends share the deepest things in their hearts with one another, while acquaintances stay on the "safe" superficial level.
3. You look forward to the time you get to spend with your best friend; whereas, there is no joyful anticipation when thinking about spending time with an acquaintance.
4. You purposely set aside time to spend with your best friend, and know that you can call him/her "on a whim." Not so true with an acquaintance.
5. You want to share your happiness, or your pain, with your best friend more than with anybody else, because you know that he/she will be totally focused on you and will be there for you.
6. You know your best friend so well, that you can count on knowing how he/she would think or respond in certain situations, and know that you can trust his/her counsel.

      When you meet someone for the first time, they are not immediately your best friend.  It takes time to cultivate a friendship, and even more time to develop a close one.  This is true of our relationship with Jesus. It takes time and effort to get to know Him, but it is time well-spent, and the rewards are amazing...