Running into God at the Supermarket Checkstand

There are a great many people that I know.  Some I call acquaintances, some I call associates, and others I call friends.  Actually I would consider almost all of the people in these categories to be friends, but most of them would have a qualifying label added--something like "casual."

 

I like most of the people that I cross paths with from day-to-day during the course of work, shopping, church, etc.  I think that most of them like me and when we greet each other with a "Hello" or short conversation, it is typically pleasant and worthwhile.  However, few of them will end up attending ball games or family events with me.  Fewer of them will call me on the phone to share their latest triumph or tragedy.  The reality of life is that most of us have many "friend" relationships that are like that, but only a small handful of really close, intimate friends.

 

It isn't that we are all jerks and don't want to have more deep bonds of friendship, rather, it is simply a matter of the economy of time--there aren't enough hours in a day to invest deeply into all of the relationships that we encounter.  Even as I write this blog, my dog, Jack, is bouncing a rubber ball at my feet and insisting that I repeatedly wrestle it from him and then throw it down a tiled hallway so that he can pursue it.  I keep telling him that I am busy.  Jack is a really good friend of mine (and I do spend a great deal of time with him), but often (even now), I have to insist, to his dismay, that I have other things to take care of.  Taking friendships to more personal levels takes time that might be required elsewhere, and energy that might have never existed.  That is why all of us must limit our very close friendships, even if we wish we did not have to.

 

It is the fact that intimate friendships require time, effort, and energy that makes them so special.  When someone invests those things in us, they are making a powerful statement that we are worth it.  Of all of the things in life that they could choose to treat as special, they have decided that we should be on the list.  That says many things.  It might say that we are kind, responsible, helpful, and maybe even valuable...but I think the most important thing might be that they like us and want to include us in the very serious committment of life.  That is profound.  And it is an incredible compliment.

I wonder sometimes, however, about our friendship with God.  Is He just someone that we pass with a wave on the street, but quickly move on by because we don't have time to talk?  Do we call Him in the evening with a recap of the challenges of our day, and maybe to discuss our dreams and aspirations?  Or do we not have the time to invest because it is already being put into the "big football game on television" fund?  And when we go places, do we ever bother to invite Him along?

The real question is this: is God a casual friend, or the dearly cherished sharer of our heart and life?  It takes time to let God be our confidant.  It takes energy.  It takes investment.  When we give those things, however, I am certain that God is happy, honored, and complimented.  Our real friendship is meaningful to Him.  And when we give it, I am sure that He is more than willing to give His in return.

That is a pretty strong rate of return on our investment.