A Purpose Driven Life Chapter 11 - Friend of God
Chapter Overview: Rick began writing about the prospect of being a friend of God, and who did that in the bible (Moses, Abraham, Enoch, David and more). He gave two pointers on how to cultivate friendship with God.
- Practice His presence - talk to Him all the time, like in a conversation. The example he used and quoted was from the book Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
- Meditating on God's word. The examples he used here were two scriptures - one for Job and one for David.
2011 (40 years old)
I remember reading that book by Brother Lawrence back during DTS and really enjoying it. I did (and to some degree still do) try and have a running conversation with God. I think the key with this exercise is faith. How do you know that you and God are actually becoming better friends? I actually might have an answer to that, given my experience. I was thinking yesterday about my whole 'trial' with trusting God and how I really worked on that problem to see that there are on fact different levels/lessons that God wants to walk is through in trusting and surrender to Him. Perspective is key with this. Things aren't always going to be rosy. It's when trials and struggles come that God (and we ourselves) can see if we're making advances in our relationship with Him. This is a scary fact for me. It's so comfortable, easy, and safe to maintain the status quo.
2016 (45 years old)
God wants to be my best friend. What can I do to remind myself about God and think about him... To think and talk with him through the day? Consciously look for reminders of God and his love and care and thank him for it. Like orange tinted sunrise rainbows. The chapter mentions Brother Lawrence. Rick said 'if you know how to worry, you know how to meditate'. You just need to focus different. Also 'breath prayers' - one liners that you can breath out. Brother Lawrence said its not in the length of your prayers but in their sincerity and consistency. He mentions Acts 17:26-27... He made the earth hospitable with plenty of time and space so we could seek after God and not just grope around in the dark. I liked the line 'if you worry you know how to meditate - you just need to focus on something else.
For background on what these 'Purpose Driven Life' posts are about, click this link.
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