“How do you make the Savior really your friend?”
I’ve been asked this question many times, and I know why it’s asked.
Because I think so many of us crave that kind of relationship with Jesus.
We all want more friends, right?!
And we all want to be friends with the one who knows us better than anyone else because He experienced it all.
But… how?
My first answer is a question:
Am I a good friend to the Lord?
Do I only contact Him when I need something from Him?
Do I want to learn everything about Him and what He’s done for me, or do I only want to talk about my life?
Do I think of Him often, in both casual and more serious times?
When I’ve focused on becoming a better friend to Jesus, then I’ve discovered a powerful sense that He is my friend, too.
But my second answer is a bit more honest:
I’m never going to be a “good enough” friend to my Savior.
At least not here on this earth.
I’m going to forget about Him. I’m going to be selfish. I’m going to need to take a whole lot more than I give.
And yet… I still believe He is my friend.
“He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend”.
“I will call you friends, for you are my friends”. (D&C 93:45)
I can’t earn that friendship.
But I can still do what I can to discover my part in it.
He is already my friend. And your friend. And anyone’s friend.
It’s in those moments when I decide to reach out and build our relationship that I feel the friendship starting to grow.
When I treat my Savior as I would a friend, I gain the best, most forgiving, most reliable, kindest, most loving eternal friend that I could ever imagine.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
