Okay, I admit it. I’m addicted to Facebook. I can get lost for hours sending friend requests, sharing my author page, trolling through posts by friends and family, adding and viewing photos. Facebook provides so many enjoyable moments connecting with others and rekindling or building friendships.

Having taught middle school for fifteen years, I know the importance of friends. Nothing matters more to an adolescent than the right friends ~ friends who are faithful, who matter socially, who include them in their activities and plans.

Today as I turned my focus from Facebook to a Bible study on the life of Jesus, something dawned on me. It’s not a new revelation or hidden truth. It’s something I’ve known for a long time. You have, too.

Jesus invaded time and space to be our FRIEND. He exchanged royal garments for earthly flesh because He not only ‘likes’ us, He’s crazy in love with us.  Just as we follow our friends on Facebook, He follows us on the journey of life and calls us to follow Him as well. He’s a friend who will never unfriend or unlike you or me. Rather, He staked His very life on the friendship He extends us daily.

Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.    ~John 15:15 NLT

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.   ~Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

How many mornings have I hurried over to my computer to connect with my online friends, pushing my Best Friend aside for later, a time that may or may not come? Sometimes I wonder if He shakes His head and wants to reach into cyberspace and send me a message? What if I flipped open my laptop and found a flag saying I had a message from Jesus of Nazareth. Clicking on it, might I see these three words ~ 'Miss you, friend'?

Yikes!

Although there is nothing wrong with Facebook, if I put it before Him, it becomes an idol, robbing me of intimate time each morning with the One who will never leave nor forsake me. And so I have made a new commitment. I hope you will join me in my quest to spend time with Jesus before logging into Facebook each day. We won’t find a better friend than Him.