He calls me Friend

This was my article published in "Palm Leaves - Easter Edition".

As I sat on the couch pondering how to start writing on the mystery of Easter - my mind zoned out for second. I didn't know where and how to start on such a vast, important and delicate but life changing topic. I didn't wanna get it wrong and then thought this is way too advanced for an aspiring and amateur writer like me. But that night I prayed for those I care about and are following the paths of evil and for those who have hurt me. It saddened me that they'd be missed by me if they didn't make it up there. And even though they've heard it all before - I suppose there is no harm in hearing it again. About the amazing love presented on the cross that gives us the Mysterious Easter story.

I am linking Friendship with Easter. A friend is someone who loves you, someone you can trust, you have faith in and who will always be there for you. A friend doesn't forget and just disown you one fine day. A friend sees through your bad and tries fixing you. A friend forgives and forgets. A friend never forgets the times you lent a helping hand. Well, they say a friend would do anything for you - climb mountains, travel across the world or even give their life for you. True in some cases but very rare when you actually think about it. I have and I am really good friends with some people I truly love and care about. But one thing I've learnt in life is no one on earth can be trusted. However, there is one best friend who has never let me down, even once.

He loves me and I trust him. He has opened doors and pulled me through hard times. He accepts me for who I am; in spite of all the sinful things I've done. He has been ever so faithful, keeping his promises. And he speaks to me every day. I trust him with my life. I stand up for him when people disown him on earth. He took the mocking & whipping. He then stretched his hands out to be pierced with nails, shed his blood and died on that cross just for me. The mysterious thing for me is, he surrendered and gave his life for me – and I was his friend who wasn't even born at that time. That love is truly amazing and should not be a mystery. God's love is so vast that he crucified his own son on the cross just for you and me to have eternal life. Do you have a greater friend? Someone who was so pure and sinless gave his all just for you to have a better life?

So if you too are disappointed with how some friends turn out to be, you must meet the best friend of all - Jesus Christ. Whenever you need someone to speak to, you can call him - its toll free! His number is 333 - Jeremiah 33 vs 3 says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know". And he will never abandon you - "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" - Hebrews 13:5. These are promises which will never ever be broken, trust him and accept him as your saviour this Easter. As he died for you and for me to one day have an eternal life with him. And today I am a friend of a God because he calls me FRIEND!
Greater love has no-one than this, hat he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command- John 15:13-14
When you feel betrayed and let down by those around you, hope these words by Joseph Scriven comforts you:
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

My prayer this Easter is that all my friends and loved ones would surrender their lives to Christ, just as he surrendered his life for us on that Cross and rose victoriously to redeem us from our sins. Have a Blessed Easter.