We often think of Jesus as OUR friend. The melody of the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” ribbons through my mind as I picture the many ways that is true in my life – the ways He has been my trusted companion and comfort time and time again. But Exodus 33:11 stops me in my tracks. It shows that this friendship thing is a two-way street, where God is talking to his created being not as a scolding parent, or feared deity, but as HIS friend. Reminds me of Psalm 25:14 “The Lord confides in those who fear him…” 

Wait, what? God confides? How amazing is that? 

And it makes me wonder – Do I make enough room for the Lord to confide in me?  Or am I always doing all the talking in this friendship?  Am I a good friend to Him? No relationship or conversation should be one-sided, yet many of my prayers can be just that. Of course God Almighty doesn’t need friends, he is self-sufficient in every way. But as a relational being, wouldn’t he want them? 

We often refer to God as our Father, and we revere him as Lord and Creator. There are many different roles he plays, and different ways we approach him. I don’t want to be so ‘friendly’ that I forget his power or sovereignty, and I’m not suggesting that we come to him flippantly or casually. I’m just in awe of what I read in Exodus, and I say of Moses, “I’ll have what he’s having!” Let me listen more, wait more, sit in silence more…find out what is on the mind of God. Let my prayers have space for the question, “Jesus what is on YOUR heart?” For Hebrews 7:25 says that even Jesus intercedes. Maybe I should ask him what he’s interceding for. I bet it would change what I’m interceding for as I fall in step with him.

Jesus, my friend…speak to me as God spoke to Moses. Tell me what you’re up to today – not just in my life, but in this whole hurting world. What’s moving you to tears or to action or to joy or to pain? As I sit in silence, show me. Then help me to join you in these things rather than constantly asking you to join me in MY “stuff”.  Set a vision before me that is greater and grander than me. Jesus, you are a faithful friend to ME, but I also want to be a faithful friend to YOU – a confidant for you.

So I say along with Samuel, “Speak Lord, I’m listening” (1 Sam 3:10).