My Not So Imaginary Friend

Growing up, I had an imaginary friend whose name was Richie. Richie accompanied me to school, church, the doctor's office, everywhere I went. My mom even had to set Richie a place at the table at suppertime. I could tell Richie anything and he seemed to understand me completely.

I only had one problem with Richie . . . he wasn't real.

What I have discovered since then is that I have a real friend who is with me everywhere I go. His name is Jesus. I can tell Him anything and He understands me completely. He should; He made me. Unfortunately, most of us allow the time of our days to pass by without recognizing, acknowledging, and availing ourselves to the constant presence of Christ in our lives.

We should let the Old Testament character Enoch stand as a prime example to us.

So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. – Genesis 5:23-24

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. – Hebrews 11:5

The Bible contains very little about Enoch, but what we read is powerful.

• He lived 365 years. By our calendar that would be one year for every day of the year . . . he lived a year full of years. That suggests to me that He lived a fulfilled life. His days found significance in his close relationship with God.
  

  
  

• He walked
  with God. In the Hebrew language, that phrase refers to the daily walking "to and fro" of life. Enoch recognized God in and related to God through the common everyday events of his life.
  

• He did not die. Only two men in the Bible never tasted death – Enoch and Elijah. Enoch enjoyed such a close relationship with God that He showed Enoch favor when his time came to depart this life and move to the next.
  

• He pleased God. I guess had Enoch died that is what his family would have written on his tombstone. Even without a funeral and tombstone his reputation was that he pleased God. Not others, not the popular people, not even himself. God.
  

God delights when we acknowledge Him in the everyday comings and goings of life. Remember that Jesus is always present through His Holy Spirit who lives in us. We can talk to Him anytime and at all times. We can ask Him to guide our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We can ask Him to give us wisdom throughout our day.

I am so glad that I no longer need my imaginary friend to keep me company. I replaced Richie with a TRUE friend, Jesus Christ. Learn to acknowledge His presence in your life all day, every day. What a blessing to know He is with us.