Can You Call Him Your Friend?
At Central, we quite often sing the old hymn, “How Long Has It Been?” This song, which talks about our prayer life, asks a series of questions that, basically, is meant to cause the singer to reflect on the frequency and fervency of their prayers.
I recently referenced the song in a sermon and used the opening lyric/question to remind people of the song. The song opens by asking, “How long has it been since you talked with the Lord / and told Him your heart’s hidden secrets?”
After quoting that line, I then admitted that, sometimes, I don’t like singing that song very much because I don’t like the answers to the questions!
But then I pointed out that, near the end of the chorus, is this simple but profound question: “Can you call Him your friend?”
What a profound question, especially in the context of that type of song! How can it be possible to call my Lord my “Friend?” By sharing my heart with Him often and deeply. After all, He has shared His heart with me through the hundreds and hundreds of pages of Scripture if I will just take the time to “listen” to it.
And in that Word, He has made sure to tell me that He will listen to me; in fact, that He desires to hear me. So, why would I not pour out my heart to Him regularly!
Do you want to know God, as best you can, as (yes) your Lord, but also as your Friend? Then maybe you need to honestly evaluate the answers to the questions of that old hymn.
How long has it been since you talked with the Lord,
and told Him your heart’s hidden secrets?
How long since you prayed; how long since you stayed
on your knees ’til the light shone through?
How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?
How long since your heart knew no burden?
Can you call Him your friend?
How long has it been
since you knew that He cared for you?
(Mosie Lister)
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
