FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD
"Friendship first of all must be nourished in an atmosphere of spiritual
authenticity. It must be defined in the light of true love.
Yet, we feel we are tested, and sometimes, it is unbearable. When I responded to become a missionary, our eldest brother met a vehicular accident, which necessitated a major operation in his brain. Three months later, my mother got a stroke, which made her half paralysed. I questioned the Lord why. These events made me understand that I am very special in his eyes, for in spite of the pains, I had a deeper peace in my heart.
There are always moments of dryness in our lives, but the Lord knows when to give his power. He reveals his power in his own time, retains our enthusiasm and strength. It is so surprising how we survived. There must be an inner strength to face trials in life. This is the strength of a friend. Nobody can give us such a power, not even our respective family, whom we have shared a deeper part of our lives. Our pains and joys, our feelings of grief and satisfaction take a deeper form in our friendship with God for it is to him that we outpour our emotions.
Friendship with God offers us the space in which our hearts could be reached and brought back to light. The Lord is a 'Super friend' and it is always his own initiative to reach us, despite the painful feeling in us, that we seemed to be devoured by pains and tribulations. I would like to attribute to God the definition of Charles Magsam about the true friendship:
"A true friend is a compassionate counsellor to whom one can go with perfect
confidence to seek advice and help in solving problems. A friend speaks with
all frankness, in correcting, encouraging and advising."
Here expressed is the fraternal intimacy in relationship. We survived even in distressed condition. We even grow into becoming a man for others, for what God has given will radiate. We may be limited physically, but in a special union in our prayers, we are connected.
