Keep smilin’
Keep shinin’

Knowin’ you can always count on me
for sure
that’s what friends are for

In good times
And bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

We’ve all heard the song sang by Dionne Warwick and friends like Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. But our greatest friend and the relationship that should be sought even more is Jesus.

With my best girlfriends, I cherish deep conversations, venting stints, meaningless topic chats and those free self-discovery crying therapy sessions. Not sure what I would do without my friends, but even more than that, not sure what I would have done without my faith in God during all those tough times in my life.

Over the past few years, one of my friends has been on a quest of spiritual truth, cleansing and enlightenment. In the past, she has believed in God in a general sense but not much more than that.

As she digs deeper in the word of God through bible studies, church involvement and independent reading; I’ve been lucky enough to talk with her about all her discoveries and self-reflection.

On our long walks, we talk about all kinds of topics but somehow always land on conversations of God. She complements her Christian mentors and unconsciously puts them on a metaphoric pedestal of which she places them closer to God than herself.

“There just so in love with Jesus, seem to have this amazingly close relationship with him. I believe in God and want that kind of relationship with Jesus. But I just don’t know how to get it. Guess, I have Jesus Envy.”

I reassured her that Jesus loves her as much as he loves everyone else. She believed that.  But still didn’t feel that kind of closeness to Jesus.  She continued to put angelic wings on her bible study friends, minimizing their sins to her own. She mentioned, “If they only knew the real me,” referring to all her past mistakes and wild days.

This particular conversation came up more than one time. I tucked it somewhere in the back of my mind, probably internalizing the thought more than I knew.

One day after church, I was driving down the road and a strong message came through, clear as a bell.

I thought, “She must forgive herself for all her past sins and mistakes. God has already forgiven her, but she has not forgiven herself.  Thus, she doesn’t feel worthy or deserving of that kind of relationship with Jesus. She must forgive herself to have the closeness with Jesus.”

As Oprah says it was an, “Ah Ha” moment.  

One afternoon, at her house, I looked at her and said, “I know what is keeping you from having the relationship with Jesus you want; it came to me the other day after church. “

She stopped what she was doing, looked up at me as I said, “God has forgiven you for all your past mistakes and past sins. But you have not forgiven yourself.”

When I said this to her, I got chill bumps down my arms. Her eyes immediately filled with tears and drops fell from her hazel eyes.

“You’re right. That makes total sense. I haven’t forgiven myself. I haven’t felt deserving of that special relationship.”

I said, “When you’re ready make a list of every shameful or sinful thing in your life that you want cleansed. You do not have to share anything with me. Fold the paper, put it in an envelope. Then, we will pray over those things, releasing all of them to God and burn it.”

She thought that was a great idea and agreed that we should do that. I explained to her that some of the most powerful ministers are those willing to expose their character flaws and past sins. Her walk through this life, along with her walk to Jesus will enable her to reach the unreachable because they will be able to relate to her.God is active in our entire history, every step of the way. Throughout the bible he has used imperfect people, some of which did terrible horrific things.

 It’s not just when we seek God’s forgiveness that we transform, but it is also when we forgive ourselves too. A cleansing process occurs as we get closer to God that can be painful but necessary for him to use us in our entirety.

The closer our relationship becomes the more aware we are that we need his help to completely transform. He is holy, morally perfect, pure.  Only God can help us leave the past in the past and live in the now, enabling us to have the love affair of a life time, with Jesus.

Often our daily pressures, shortcomings, sinful and self-loathing behaviors create a wedge in that special relationship, distancing us from our source. Just like any marriage we sometimes feel close; then we feel distant, seemingly drifting to and from depending on what is going on in our lives. As we experience the bumps in the road, we must hold on tight to the Lord, pulling that Spiritual “seatbelt” closer and tighter while surrounding ourselves with strong Christian friends.

You’re on the road of complete spiritual detoxing when:

• Confess your sins,
• Actively  seek to avoid sin
• Accept the Lord: Forgive yourself & Forgive others
• Engage in knowing him through the word
• Practice Fellowship with Christians creating a spiritual support system

After cleansing, you’ll be ready when God calls on you to do his work. The best spiritual mentors are those that have “been there and done that.”  He cannot use those so called “perfect” people like he can those with amazing stories of triumph over tragedy, sin and heartaches.

Like the old song says, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Notice the key word in that sentence is “we.”  We all have the opportunity to have that special relationship with Jesus, and we are all worthy of it!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Joseph M. Scriven, 1855

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

Thoughts for today:

•  Is there something you need to forgive yourself for?

**Pray to God about helping you forgive yourself for your past mistakes. He loves you, so you must love you too!**

Scriptures of Day:

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

 Proverbs 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.