East Heights Daily Devotional
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
John 15:15 “But I have called you friend.”
I remember one day sorting through some old family photos and came across a picture of myself attending my birthday party while I was still a toddler. I could not get over how shy I looked. Imagine me as shy! I was surrounded by a wonderful group of my earliest friends. Some in the picture were cousins as well as friends of my parents who, of course, in time became my friends as well. As I examined the photographs I noted that at least two of my young friends have already passed away. One friend in particular died when he was only 15 years old. Others in the picture I have to admit I have not seen for many years. But in truth I will always consider each of them my special friends. They are in fact my first and oldest friends.
As we celebrate life along with each added birthday, it’s so important to take inventory of our friends and offer thanksgiving for each of them.
Jesus always valued friendship. When he called his Disciples, he in fact, invited friendship. Indeed a friendship that lead to ultimate transformation. Friendship always leads to transformation as it gives us an identity as well as a connection to others.
As the Gospel of John reminds us today, Jesus is the one who first calls us friends. He also reminds us that nothing is so important and precious then the love that would lay down life itself for a friend.
As we acknowledge another year of life, let us likewise acknowledge our friends as well as the Holy Friendship we enjoy with the Lord.
Prayer: Thank you O Lord for the gift of all our friends. But especially we remember the friendship offered us in our dearest friend: Jesus! Amen.
Devotions this week are written by:
Rev Charles Claycomb
Executive Pastor, East Heights United Methodist Church
charles@ehumc.org / 682-6518
www.ehumc.org
Comments