Public Follower or Personal Friend?

Have you ever followed a person on social media so tightly you felt she was your friend?

Recently, I was with eight hundred ladies at a She Speaks conference. I went to learn from well-known teachers, authors, and publishers. While roaming the corridor, I observed some ladies taking pics at a photo station. Others were carefully touching the treasures displayed on the sale booths. Alone in the crowd, I turned the corner and sighted a familiar face across the way. I thought excitedly, “I know her.” My lips opened to call her name and I was ready to wave wildly to my friend. In that second, before totally embarrassing myself, my brain stopped me. It reminded me I followed her on social media. I respected her, but I did not have a relationship with her.

I had read her book and followed her teachings. I had heard her stories, but I did not know her personally.

Friends, in the same way, just because one reads about Jesus, can tell his stories and has memorized his words, it does not equate to a personal relationship with Him. A personal relationship is critical.

It is not about what you know. It is about knowing Him.  A relationship with Jesus comes through surrender to the Savior. I am so grateful Christ did what I could not do for myself. (John 3:16) He proved his love on the cross. He loves you and me and offers a deep personal friendship. Jesus even calls his children by the endearing title of friend. John 15:15b “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

James 2:23 (NIV) “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness and he was called God’s friend.

We are more than a public follower when we have a personal relationship with Him. You can wave your hands and call out to him when you feel alone in a crowd. He will wrap his arms around you and whisper, “My Friend.”