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Say Goodbye to Your Imaginary Friends

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"Oh, sure. We'd all love some real friends, Marge. But what are the odds of that happening?" - Chief Wiggum, The Simpsons

Ever feel like Chief Wiggum? Ever feel like even though you have 50 or 500 or even 5000 "friends" on your MySpace page or contact list, deep down you know the number of real friends you have may be less than you can count on 5 fingers?

Let's talk about a real friend for a minute. I assume we're all on the same page when we think of a real friend who is honest, loyal, understanding, and there for you all the time.

Um, sure - because there are SO many people out there like that - right? Which is why it seems that so many of us have so few that we could call real friends, and like Ralph and Chief Wiggum...the odds of that changing don't look exceptionally promising. But notice I said 'seems', because it seems to me that a lot of folks who have trusted in Christ as their only hope of salvation are missing out on the greatest friendship possible. Every Christian has an incredible 'real friend' potential, but unfortunately most are simply letting that potential rot on the shelf of their soul.

What in the world am I talking about? Basically the same thing that Jesus was talking about when His disciples were faced with the reality that they were about to lose their best friend. Check out the unanticipated promise Jesus gives them:

"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18)

Picture the scene: Jesus and his best friends had spent three intense years together. They saw Him do unbelievable things, speak life-changing words, and give them an incredible new view of life that only a real friend could.

And now He is telling them goodbye. Not goodbye as in 'see you in a bit'...this is goodbye as in 'I'm leaving this earth'.

So naturally they were dumbfounded and struck with staggering feelings of loss and confusion. Which is why Jesus revealed the truth to them that even though He was leaving, He was coming. In other words, the Father would send The Holy Spirit to fill the gap left in their hearts from Jesus' departure. He promised that the 'Comforter' would comfort their hearts and continue the real friendship for the rest of their lives.

Here's the best part...the same promise holds true for us! When you trusted Christ, the Holy Spirit took up permanent residence in your soul and offers you the most pure and authentic friendship the world has ever seen.

What kind of friendship? Like no other. Let me illustrate with by showing you what the Holy Spirit does in our lives:

"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out." - Walter Winchell

That's right Walter - which is why the Bible promises that He will "never leave us or forsake us." (Hebrews 13:5)

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." -Author Unknown

Again, you are correct Mr. Author Unknown - which is why our friendship with the Holy Spirit guarantees us this:

The Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. (John 14:26-27)

When the world empties your heart, your friend the Holy Spirit will fill it up again with the words of Jesus that will bring back your peace.

One more:

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself." - Author Unknown (again - man this guy Author sure writes a lot of stuff!)

By the way...are there times when you've stopped believing in yourself? I've got great news - your best friend hasn't:

For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5)

Maybe you thought the Holy Spirit was just some mystical force like in Star Wars, or an energy field like, well, an energy field. He's isn't. He is a He...He thinks, feels, loves, and most of all loves you and wants to be 'added' as your real friend.

So what are the odds of that happening in your life?

Head: What you need to know about this truth

The Holy Spirit is a real person who offers a real friendship to every believer.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

Feel loved, accepted, adored, cherished, appreciated, treasured, prized, and valued by a real friend who will never ever leave you or never ever forsake you, turn His back on you, or think less of you because of anything you say or do.

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

A friendship with God is just like any other friendship. It takes time, effort, patience, and trust. Mainly it takes commitment. Are you willing to invest what it takes to develop a real friendship with the Holy Spirit? If so, spend some time this week listening for His voice, reading His word, and following His lead. Oh - and tune in to next week's Soul Fuel, when we'll discuss how to get plugged into the power of the Spirit!