Friendship

The daily prompt is about Life Line.

You’re on a long flight, and a palm reader sitting next to you insists she reads your palm. You hesitate, but agree. What does she tell you?

This passenger is offering the best friendship she knows.  I probably would not agree to have my palm read, or my tealeaves or any other form of fortune-telling.  However I would not trample over her friendly overtures.

Good friendships lead to benefits on both sides. Lasting friendships are a source of great joy.
There is a very well known story about friendship offered, sometimes rejected, sometimes accepted. It is an amazing offer. Human friendship can be wonderful…
…but God Himself offers to be our Friend.
The Bible (Genesis 3) tells how the first people, Adam and Eve enjoyed the friendship of God until they disobeyed Him and everything went wrong. Then they hid from Him. He still provided for them and cared for them.
God picked out many people to be his friends, revealing his character to them. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (who became Israel), Joseph, Moses and the prophets all enjoyed the friendship of God. It was not easy for them. He did not offer them a quiet life, but many challenges and the possibility of becoming more like Him in character.
Then he sent his Son to show us what friendship with God is like. Jesus’ disciples were transformed. After Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension (which provide the means of our redemption) God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers and give them the power to live life as God intended. It is not easy. We do not become puppets, but God forgives our mistakes and helps us start again and again.
God is holy and good. He knows that people are unable to be good without his help. This is what He is offering.
Have you accepted His offer of redeeming Love?  It is the best life-line.