Donald Wickham’s Blog

As I’ve been chewing on this question, “what is my relationship with God?”, I’ve recognized that there are several stages to any relationship, especially with God.

1. No relationship – unaware that God offers one.
2. Antagonistic – resisting or even fighting God’s seeking us.
3. Accepting, surrendering – Receiving Christ as savior, being adopted into God’s family.
4. Master/Servant – Recognizing that God is God and I am not. Choosing to follow His ways.
5. Friends – Jesus said that he no longer looked on us as servants but as friends.
6. Best of friends, intimate friends, lovers – So close that we intuit the other’s thoughts and desires.

I’m finding the transition from master/servant to friends is actually quite challenging. A master/servant relationship is quite well defined. The master gives directions and commands and the servant follows them. What the servant wants is fairly irrelevant. All the servant is really looking for is a “well done”. And we all like to get “well done”s, don’t we?

A friend relationship between two people is also fairly well defined. Each gets to share their opinions and desires and they then agree on what is to be done. There is give and take. Neither dominates or controls. At least that is how I see a “good” friendship operating.

Now, translating this definition of friends to God and me is much more difficult. It really isn’t a matter of us sharing our opinions and desires and then coming to agreement. God sees the big picture, is never “out-of-sorts” and wants the best for me. My desires and opinions, well, they just don’t compare to His. All too often what I think is best for me is anything but. So my choice is to always want His opinion and plans.

Jesus says in John 15:15, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Our relationship with God is not as peers. The Biblical description is father/child. Not father/infant but father/grown child.

There is something about this “father’s business”. A servant (employee) just does what they are told. Often they have awareness of only part of the business. A friend’s (partner’s?) or a son/daughter’s involvement is different. Since they are likely to take over the business, they need to know the big picture. To be aware of the long range plans.

Now, back to my basic premise, which is God wants an intimate relationship with each of us (and me). So, whatever is going on, it has to be based on and feed that relationship. Relationships are built on time together, common activities, common purposes, shared desires etc. The scriptures also indicate there is a transformation in process as a consequence of this relationship. Our minds are transformed (Rom 12). Our heart’s desires are restored to alignment with God’s plans for us. We are transformed to be more and more like Jesus.

James 1:5”.If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Again, indicating a relationship. We ask, He answers. In another place it says that we don’t have because we don’t ask. There is a trusting that He will guide and share what is on His heart and mind.

Looking at the father/child view, it is coming to God and asking what He is up to and how we (I) can be involved. Knowing that there is valuable, fulfilling, and yes, exciting and fun things for me to be involved in and contribute to. Joining in His plans and purposes and really living the truth, that His ways are really awesome and great for us.

Tags:   coming to agreement · father/child · friends · intimate relationship · Master/Servant · plans and purposes · relationship with God · transformed2 Comments