Lost Friendship - Found Truth

Setting the scene for today's devotion, verse 29 of John 8 is this: "And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." Jesus's words always get my attention, and these words coming as Jesus is teaching about His being the Light of the World. I know that when then light came on for me, everything changed. Can you relate? Do you know what I am talking about?

I didn't even know I was in darkness, until the Light entered in. Many of us can tell about a time when everything was bleak, life was hard and some days we questioned, "Why am I hear? What is the point?"

John 8:31-32 (ESV)
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I can't remember for certain the incident that started the process for me. I know it had something to do with losing a friendship over something silly, that started with a lie and grew. The lie was meant to save someone's feelings, and if truth be told I was probably trying to save myself some uncomfortable moments. But, isn't that how is goes?

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The Truth became real to me in that season. Jesus began doing a new thing in my heart and my life. It took many years, but finally that friendship was healed. That is a story for another time, or blog post. The point is, Jesus is Grace and Truth and once we discover Him and become His disciples, nothing will ever be the same again, and that is a very good thing.

John 8:31-38

Tell it to a Friend

If you peeked at my journal entries over the past 6 years you would notice how my whining and bartering sounds an awful lot like the pleas of King David's in Psalm 13. How long Lord? When will it get better? How much more do I have to endure? 

Psalm 13:3 (NIV) 

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

I wonder if King David found as much comfort when he wrote down his worries and concerns as I do when I write in my journal each morning. Sometimes I sound like a broken record, but I know God understands.

David had a wonderful friendship with Jonathon, King Saul's son. That relationship is an example to all of us. Good friends like this are people we can confide in when we need a sounding board, when we need someone to steer us in a different direction. It is wise and helpful to have that ‘someone’ in our life who knows us and wants only what is best. They will listen and love and laugh with us.

Sometimes all we need to do is talk a problem over with a friend, That is what my journal writing practice is for me; talking it over with a friend. What a friend we have in Jesus. He will listen, speak to my heart or point me to a person I need to share with, listening to my friends, sometimes sharing and other times learning from them. 

Jesus,

Sometimes when we feel the burden of life closing in, sensing that it just isn't fair, give me someone to talk with. If that someone is you, open my ears to hear. Thank you for always being my confidant. 

Psalm 13:1-3