The Friend Request

In these days of social media, people’s interaction has taken on a new dimension.  Some think they can control the narrative.  They insist on having the last word. They get quite bold in their responses. If someone says something they don’t like or disagree with, they don’t want to hear any more from that person because it doesn’t fit their narrative.  It makes them uncomfortable or angry.  If there’s any conversation about the importance of believing and having a relationship with God, they might get offended.  For some who are holding back on believing or having that relationship, they may be afraid.  If they start going to church, they might hear about their sins.  They might be reminded they need to repent.  They might learn of shortcomings that they don’t want to face.  It is hard to hear that we are sinners.  It’s never easy to change our ways.  It’s not pleasant to hear that we are imperfect.    

For those who don’t want to hear the truth, it is much easier to avoid the people giving them the reminders.  It is a way for them to just ignore that nudge from God.  Some of them lash out at the person carrying the message.  Some unfriend the person in social media or even in real life.  They feel this will end the conversation they don’t want to have.  

Some of those same people have received friend requests from God.  He is trying to get their attention.  He wants to be an important part of their life.  He reaches out in love and offers them a most wonderful gift.  A relationship with Him.  Eternal life with Him.  They see that friend request waiting in the queue.  But they ignore it.  They don’t respond.  

If only they knew.  If only they understood.  When Judgement Day comes, these tactics will no longer work for them.  Imagine standing before God and saying, “Well, I didn’t think you were real.  I didn’t have time to go to church and read my bible.  I didn’t want to give up some of my sins.  I can’t admit that I have sinned.  You know how it is.  I try to live a good life, but my friends wouldn’t think I was cool if I followed you.”  All the excuses in the world will be bogus at such a time.  There is no defending turning your back on God.  On Judgement Day there will be no second chances.  This is one time they will not have the last word.  God will.  He will tell them all he has done for them.  He will tell some of them how time and time again He sent them a friend request.  He will remind some of them how every time, they ignored it or clicked delete on that friend request. 

On that same day, He will remind others how they had accepted his friend request, but they grew weary and weak and gave in to the wicked ways of the world.  He will remind them of how they once had that awesome relationship with him, but they turned away and unfriended Him.  They stopped going to His house of worship.  They stopped reading the bible.  They stopped praying.  They walked away.  They grew lukewarm. 

Because of His great love for them, God didn’t give up on them.  He tried making contact again and again.  They did not like this.  Some grew annoyed at the constant reminders of His presence.  Their hearts grew cold.  Eventually, they blocked Him. As their hearts grew cold, they put up a barrier so they wouldn’t see or hear His messages.

My heart breaks for those people who have deleted God’s friend requests.  I can’t help but wonder if they have a clue that they are denying themselves eternal life with God in heaven.  I cannot process why anyone would deny themselves that gift.  I know I cannot change the situation, but the Holy Spirit can.  All I can do is pray for them and trust that the Holy Spirit will touch their hearts.  

You see, either you are friends or you’re not.  You can’t be lukewarm.  You have to decide who you are friends with, and that includes God.  There’s no middle ground with God.  And hopefully, once you are friends, you will never unfriend or block the best friend you’ll ever have.       

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.

John 15:15 NIV