Devotion

True Friend 
by Neva Coyle

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. (Psalm 145:17)

"THE REASON I AM HERE, Pastor, is because I know I can trust you." The woman twisted uncomfortably in her chair. "Your sermon on being non judgmental, and God's grace, has made me realize I can tell you what's bothering me. I know that whatever I tell you will be held in the strict est confidence and that you will not judge me." She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. "This is so hard for me to say."

The pastor leaned back, settling deeper into his chair. Conscious that his body language needed to invite this troubled woman to talk about what was obviously bothering her so deeply, he uncrossed his arms and leaned forward again.

"I'm your pastor. I am here to help you, if I can."

"Well," she began slowly, "I'm not really here for myself."

"Oh?" said the pastor.

"No, I'm here for you."

"For me?"

"I believe your ministry could be so much more effective if you..." and she began a memorized list of changes the pastor could make that would suit her: ". . . cut the sermons by fifteen minutes; use less personal experiences, and quote more Bible. Furthermore, the congregation should sing more hymns instead of the contemporary worship choruses. The choir should really have robes; the children's minister wears too much makeup. The youth pastor should shave off his mustache, and the ushers should smile and nod more at the people when the offering is being taken. "I'm not really being critical here, I just know that this is what many people are saying. And I love you enough to make these suggestions to your face and know you will receive them in love." She dabbed at her eyes again. "I knew I could talk to you. Thank you for listening. I feel so much better now. Your counseling ministry is really your strongest suit, you know." Wham! Rip! Slap! Stab! and she was gone.

This doesn't only happen to pastors. You and I have both had people who pretended to come in the name of the Lord to let us know that what is bothering them is us. We don't walk, talk, sit, or stand right. Their whole world would be better if we were different. Is it any wonder that we become suspicious and paranoid when we are approached? Boy! If God's people are like that, how can I trust God? Simple. God is not like that. God is authentic. When He says come close to me, He means He wants us close--simply close, nothing more. When He calls us apart to speak to us, it is because He wants to say something wonderful and life-changing. Only when we trust Him enough to say, "Examine me, my Lord. Show me what I need to change," does He intervene.

Of course there are those times when the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, lets us know when we are doing or involved with something we shouldn't. He brings conviction to us and gently leads us to repent and change.

But, just because he beckons us does not automatically mean He has issue with us. God doesn't approach us with hidden agendas or personal grievances. He comes to us with love and forgiveness, hope and life. He doesn't reach out with sweetness, and then squeeze the life out of us by harsh criticism. Sadly, many never discover that God is always pure and honest. They assume His character is like that of everyone who calls himself a Christian. Yet God keeps on loving, forgiving, drawing us to himself, proving that He is faithful and that His motives are only for our good.

Recall an experience when someone approached you deceptively and wounded you. Are you blaming God for that encounter? How have you used past experiences with people to keep you from getting close to God? How can you change that tendency?

About the Author

This article/devotional was taken from Learning To Know God...and to Love His Friends (A Devotional Daybook by Neva Coyle). See more about this book by Neva Coyle at Amazon.com.