The Hand of Friendship

[The Great Multitude in White Robes] After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

- Revelation 7:9

I sat down with God's people and collected myself for worship. Out of the corner of my eye I caught an old friend almost gasping for air in excitement as his eyes met mine. He rose to his feet and unapologetically climbed over others to sit beside me and give me his characteristic bear hug, cheek to cheek. 

As we worshipped God with abandon, I looked down and realized he was turned the other way, facing the latecomers as they walked in as unobtrusively as possible. He stuck out his hand to each one for a warm, extended handshake, pointing persistently at the seat next to him, but much to his disappointment, the strangers all shrugged their shoulders regretfully, pointing to a chair ahead, and disappearing back into the crowd. 

He refused to give up and continued to shake strangers hands as the mixed diversity of his company of friends grew, "from every nation, tribe, people and language." The world had arrived at his doorstep, and he was the first to open the door into the throne room of God for all to enter in.

Finally, a couple of men from Jamaica, as it turned out, sat down with us, much to his satisfaction. He clasped their hands with a firm, bracing handshake, and turned to me and smiled, pointing back at them until he was sure I understood the significance of the moment. I nodded and smiled, extending my hand in friendship.   

How Does Jesus Choose His Friends?

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

- John 15:16

Today we launched a new small-group for participants of our Volunteer Work Experience Program. Both clients and their support workers who expressed interest joined in an exploration of friendship with God and each other. We focused today on the friendships that have formed our lives and how God has all the qualities of the perfect friend we're looking for. 

Each of the members had an opportunity to dramatically show off their acting skills as we laughed through various scenarios depicting friendship at its best and worst; we brainstormed and identified the different qualities that mysteriously draw friends together and we played a game of 'Friendship Bingo' to determine the qualities that we look for in a friend. One member of the group was sure she had no friends at all until she looked closely at the friendship qualities on the Bingo card and friends from many walks of life came to mind filling the spaces. As it turned out, she was the first to cry, "Bingo."

We opened our Bibles for spiritual insight as we considered why we choose our friends, thumbing through the pages until we all found the verse we were looking for. I asked the members of the group how they feel when they hear Jesus say, "I chose you"? Tears formed in the eyes of one lady, "I was never chosen by others because of my disability", she said. "I was always left out. Everyone would choose the popular ones to be friends with. Nobody wanted to be with me. So when I hear Jesus telling me that he chose me I feel like someone wants me. I feel important. I am God's chosen friend, even if others don't choose me."

It may be true that at all times God is present, yet there are times when God's felt presence is touchable. We were all touched right then by her vulnerability and simple faith. We are not alone. We have been chosen by a Friend who promises never to leave us. 

God Bless And Watch Over Wonderful You!

For this is what the high and lofty One says -

he who lives forever, whose name is holy:

"I live in a high and holy place,

but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and to revive the heart of the contrite."

- Isaiah 57:15

There is a man in our congregation who loves to send e-cards. When I see him in person I can expect that he'll eagerly ask if I took the time to read his cards online and for my review of his work, so I have been careful not to take these thoughtful cards crafted with careful consideration for granted. Today I opened up my e-mail to find two of his e-cards waiting to be opened, one lined up after another in my inbox. The first e-card displayed the message "God bless wonderful you." The second e-card calling to mind, "My God watch over you." 

For a moment I breathed deeply into God's presence and left the other distractingly urgent e-mails into the good hands of God.  I let the message sink in, a message I've grown up with and have gratefully never outgrown: God is good, God is great. God is fully immanent and transcendent, near enough to bless the lowly in spirit and sovereign enough to watch over wonderful you. I thanked God for His immanental transcendence and returned to my work with the revived heart of the humbled.