A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend.– Dwight L. Moody

Years ago, a simple statement transformed my thinking. A. W. Tozer wrote, “God is a person and, as such, can be cultivated as any person can.” I read that and began to think about how I treat people with whom I’d like a relationship.

First, I’m willing to spend time with them. Eventually, we both begin to share things close to our hearts – ideas we were pondering, spiritual struggles, family, hopes, fears. Over time, those shared concerns create a loving bond.

So, I began to do that with God. As I went through my days, I talked to him about family, worries, struggles, and dreams. I knew he was listening and felt him near. I read his word so I could get his responses to the things I brought up during the days and nights of our conversations. In short, I learned to spend time with him as I would do with any friend.

Then Tozer said, “God is a person, and in the deep of his mighty nature, he thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, desires, and suffers as any other person may.” If God has feelings similar to humans, how should I treat him? If a supposed friend ignored me or didn’t return my calls, that would be hurtful. If, though, that friend loved me, listened to me, or followed my advice, I would be pleased. I decided I wanted to do and say only things that would give him pleasure.

A lot changed for me when I began to think of God as a friend. It can for you, too. Just hang out with him, include him in everything, and enjoy his company. You’ll both like it.

“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” – Exodus 33:11