Talking Like Friends — The Relationship God Has Always Wanted and We Have Always Needed

Every once in a while, I hear a song that doesn’t just sound musically and lyrically beautiful, it speaks directly to my heart, moves me to tears, and reminds me of a truth I’ve been longing to hear.

It actually happened this week when my son joined my Spotify jam and added a song to the queue. Talking Like Friends by Gable Price and Friends painted a picture for me of a profound truth rooted in the intimacy my heart longs for — simply sitting with Jesus, having a heart to heart conversation, talking like friends.

That image lingered long after the music ended because, to me, it is the continual invitation God extends every moment of every day to me. He extends the same invitation to you, too.

God longs for a relationship with us that goes far beyond routine, religion, or rules to follow. He lovingly invites us into relationship with Him that fosters friendship by simply following Jesus.

Sometimes, I can view prayer as something I’m just supposed to do as a Christian, a formality to perform rather than a friendship to foster.

But when I hear songs like Talking Like Friends or experience something that pricks my heart and reminds me of the intimacy I not only long for, but God longs for so much more, I realize talking with Him involves much more than words can say, it requires a depth of relationship that words can’t always convey.

I heard someone describe intimacy with God by breaking down the word itself…

Intimacy = In to me see

Intimacy with God invites Him in to see the deepest part of me, and calls me to know Him more deeply, and it all requires incredible vulnerability.

He wants me to have more than mere head knowledge about Him. He wants me to have heart knowledge of Him. He longs to know my heart and for me to try as much as humanly possible to understand His.

There are two Greek words used for the word know in scripture. One is oida and refers to factual or objective knowledge, while ginosko refers to experiential or relational knowledge gained through active participation and firsthand experience. The former is easy to achieve, but the latter is only possible in a relationship with a depth of intimacy.

This kind of intimacy grows over time, just like any earthly relationship we have. We have to invest time and energy into the relationship by talking to each other in order for the relationship to grow, deepen, and strengthen.

I always find such comfort in talking to God throughout the day. He may not be audibly talking back to me, but I hear His voice through His Word, through His creation, and through His people and the song they sing, the words they say, and the things they do.

And sometimes I simply sit quietly with Him, sometimes I cry out to Him or just cry with Him, but all the time, I know He is with me, and He will never leave me.

Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). To me, that means living every day with a keen awareness of His presence. I want to invite Him into every conversation, every decision, every joy, every disappointment, and every ordinary moment of every single day.

He truly is my best friend.

In a world filled with endless opinions, constant noise, heartbreaking headlines, and so much uncertainty, I’ve discovered nothing compares to simply being with Jesus.

Talking like friends, because He is that and so much more to me!

The world distracts me, Jesus directs me.

The world promises happiness that always fades, Jesus offers joy that remains even in the midst of pain.

The world tells me to trust my gut, Jesus teaches me to trust Him.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)

God doesn’t promise us a perfect life. He promises us perfect peace.

The burdens I carry and the questions I have will always be there, but so will He. When I spend time with Him, my perspective about the burdens and questions I have changes. They don’t always disappear, but they do become fewer and lighter as I experience the consistency of His character as He carries them for me and as He also carries me through them.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

What a beautiful promise! It is one He wants us to rest in again and again.

He’s waiting. So, pull up a chair, take a walk, sit on a park bench, but no matter where you find yourself (physically, emotionally, or spiritually), open your heart and simply begin talking to God…like friends…because that’s what He longs to be to you.

There is no greater peace than knowing you can come to Him at any moment, talk with Him as your dearest friend, and trust that He is holding the whole world (and your heart) in His loving hands.