First I want to explain what a “Telephone Friend” is:
A Telephone Friend is one who seems to be a close friend, but really isn’t; much like the voice on the telephone seems close to you, but the person is actually far away.
I have a “Telephone Friend”. Several years ago me and a co-worker were close friends — our kids played together, we visited each other’s homes, and accepted each other unconditionally (even if we didn’t always agree on some things). We were almost like family to each other.
Then I was hit with three major life crises at once. I was under a lot of pressure during this time and it clouded my decision making. In an attempt to focus my life on resolving the crises I dropped my job and dropped this friend — and, unfortunately, I did it very badly and very hurtfully. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I butchered the friendship. Once I did realize it, it was too late, the damage was done. And I regretted it.
Years later, crises all long resolved, I found myself re-employed at that job from long ago. And that old friend of mine still works there. It took a few working shifts to find our “place” with each other, it was a little awkward, but thankfully it smoothed out. We are friendly at work, but it goes no further than that: This person has become my “Telephone Friend”. Sometimes our conversations turn to remembering things that happened when we were real friends, but only briefly. I’ll never get that friendship back, the proverbial bridge was burned to ashes. And I was the one who lit the match.
What does this have to do with anything?
As I was pondering the state of my work relationship with this person, I got to thinking about how often we (as in people in general) often turn Jesus Christ into a Telephone Friend. To say you are close to Jesus is one thing, to really be close with Him is a whole other thing. Simply knowing who Jesus is and knowing how to contact Him in prayer isn’t true closeness. And I’m sure it must be hurtful for Him to have so many people claiming to be His “friend”, when in reality they keep themselves at a distance from Him. He loved us enough to give the ultimate sacrifice for us, and we weren’t even born yet. How can we not love Him in return??!!
Jesus Christ deserves to be treated as more than a Telephone Friend. His great display of love and forgiveness transcends any human thought or feeling. He did more for us than any of us have done for anyone else, ever! How can someone do so much for us, and yet many of us don’t seek the close relationship with Him that we should? Instead of diminishing Him to a passing thought and weekly ritual, we need to embrace Him as a REAL Friend, and include Him in our daily lives. And yeah, that can be hard at times, as our human tendencies just love to get in our way.
And the most wonderful thing is, no matter how long you’ve treated him as a Telephone Friend, if you begin taking the steps to draw closer He will gladly take you back – He’ll give you second, third, and fourth chances regardless of how many times you’ve “burned your bridges” with Him! He won’t shame you, or hold it against you, He will rejoice in your return and forgive all that was past! Even when you’ve hurt Him, He willingly forgives and forgets. It’s a priceless gift, to be a friend of Jesus.
If you take a good inner look at yourself and find that you’ve place Jesus on Telephone Friend status, it isn’t hard to change that into Real Friend status. Simply hang up the phone, and approach Jesus personally. Begin by praying, but don’t stop there: Begin reading your Bible again, taking the words to heart. Do more than your Sunday session in the pew — sign up for Bible study classes or begin volunteering at your local charity organization. Work on forgiving those who have wronged you, and work on eliminating your special personality flaws. And the whole time, continually ask Jesus to help you grow, and learn, and improve. Discontinue making the occasional “phone call”; instead make Him a daily part of your life.
He will welcome you with open arms, forgiving your past wrongs, and take you back as soon as you ask for it!
Praise God!
Tags: Burning Bridges, Friendship, Return to Jesus
