| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 11 |
Page 3 |
The thought that one who is noble, true, and worthy is our friend gives us a sense of companionship, even in loneliness. Such a consciousness is like a holy presence in which we cannot do anything unworthy. Such a friendship transforms us, enriches our character, sweetens our spirits, and inspires in us all upward aspirations and reaching.
The thought of these influences and ministrations of human friendship helps us to understand a little better what the friendship of Christ may be to us, and what it may do for us and in us. For one of the ways in which Christ offers himself to us is as our Friend. Perhaps we do not think enough of this phase of his life. We speak of him as our Saviour, our Master, our Helper, but do we think of him often enough as our Friend? Friendship implies intimacy. We love to be with a friend. We love to talk with him about all the sacred things of our life. Do we have any such intimacy with Christ?
The other day one complained that he could scarcely get time any more to pray, he had so much to do. Life is indeed strenuous for many of us, full of duties which seem to forbid leisure. If our modern life is robbing us of the privileges of human friendship, is there not danger that it shall make close, intimate friendship with our Master also almost impossible? We read of some one spending a whole hour every morning with Christ, and we say, “That is impossible in my crowded life.” But even if we can get no long hours alone with our Master, we can cultivate a friendship with him that will go on unbroken through the longest, busiest hours. Those who were close to the great Jesuit missionary, Francis Xavier, said that in the time of his most intense occupation he would often be heard saying in whispers, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” He lived all the time with his Master.
Page 3