Saturday, March 10, 2012

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Remember that Beatles song from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Album in 1967? It was called, "A Little Help From My Friends". The intent of the song was a bit different from what we see here in the photograph, but it is none the less true. Even the most isolationist among us depend on certain people in our lives to help us out with things we cannot do alone.

The two creatures in the picture have a system worked out. One gets fed. The other gets relief. They are very unlikely friends, but their lives are better for knowing each other in this way. We humans are very similar. Perhaps you've noticed people together in public places that appear as though they do not belong together? It baffles, but there is probably something they have in common or things they enjoy discussing together, or whatever. When they come together, both lives are enriched in some way to bind them in friendship.

I have a friend like that. Atheists I know like to call Him my invisible friend, but I am forever dependent on Him. My life would not be complete without Him. It took me two thirds of a lifetime to figure it out, but you know what? I can't live life properly without Jesus. He is my friend, my counselor and my savior and he has done things for me that I cannot do for myself. On a day in the not too distant future, I'm going to meet Him for the first time in person and we will live together forever. I should be ready at that point.

If you're interested in meeting Him, I can tell you this. He will never betray you. He will always forgive you. And if the relationship gets rocky and you walk away, He will always take you back if you want that. If you don't know Him all that well, pick up a copy of His Word (the Bible) and let Him speak to you. Here's a lesson plan for you.

Go to the Old Testament and read Psalm 139:1-18 and then read the Gospel of John in the New Testament. Pray each day to Him as you study and listen to your own mind as you do this. You might even want to record your thoughts and reflect on it. Ask yourself questions. If your study makes you defensive or angry, ask yourself why. If it makes sad or reflective, ask yourself why. This sort of introspection will help you toward faith. When you get through John, read the book of Acts. It will tell you what to do with that faith. It's a history book, but it records what other people did once they discovered they believed in Jesus. When you figure it out, find a church that will help you with your belief and join that community of believers. As you grow in faith and knowledge, find ways to serve in His Kingdom. You will love it. Just keep in mind that you need to view others both inside and outside the church in the light that Jesus views you. Always have a willingness to forgive and to love and to show mercy and grace. Do this with a knowledge that you are human too.

If you can do this, then I'm sure you can work out relationships with people like our friends in the picture above. If we all worked together like those two, would it not be a better world?

So you ask, has the Ground Hog got this all worked out in his life? Is it all smooth and copacetic? Well, no, but then I'm a work in progress like you. When Jesus is done with me, I'll let you know. In the meantime, keep your eyes on the prize and I will see you topside. The Hope is the Thing, and when it's realized, it will be even more fantastic than we could have imagined. You really need to join us. You might even try darkening a church door Sunday. The building won't fall down and you might find that you can get by with a little help from those new friends.