Friendship Over Function

"You're all I need, nothing else can compete"

God gave me this prayer five years ago. Gosh, life was so simple then.

I remember receiving these words and actually laughing, "God, why would there ever be competition?" I truly believed nothing could ever come between us. But I was wrong.

As a teenager, I was on fire for God. My bedroom floor truly was my battle ground, I had more encounters with Him there than in any church building, camp, or conference. I didn’t just seek God, I lived in communion with Him. That intimacy was so pure. But somewhere along the way, I lost it. I started prioritizing everything else.

Last weekend, I attended The Stand Camp, which I have been attending since 2014 and then went on to leading. On Day 2, Pastor Randy spoke about cultivating a friendship with Jesus, pursuing His presence. His words hit me hard:

"Our highest calling is friendship over function."

Before we do for God, we must be with God.

That truth wrecked me. For the past five years, everything and anything has competed for my attention. And somewhere in that chaos, I let God take a back seat. As a teenager, I couldn’t imagine anything coming between me and Jesus. But life showed me otherwise, success, relationships, pride, shame, hurt… they all fought for first place.

But today, that changes. Today, I choose Him again. No one and nothing can compete with my relationship with Jesus. Everything else will bow down to His Rightful place in my life.

So, what’s my game plan? Pastor Randy shared three practical steps:

1. Proximity before productivity

I need to spend more time with Jesus than doing for Jesus. God doesn’t want my productivity, He wants my presence. Jesus, help me commune with You again.

2. Faithfulness over busyness

Instead of asking, How busy am I? I need to ask, How faithful am I? We can be as busy as we want and not produce any fruit. Jesus, may my faithfulness to You outweigh my busyness.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing."

John 15:5

3. Joy and delight over obligation

Somewhere along the way, my relationship with Jesus became an autopilot routine, something I had to do, rather than something I delighted in. Jesus, teach me to delight in You again. Help me choose joy over obligation.

So here I am, five years after receiving that word, choosing Him first again.

You're all I need, Jesus. Nothing else can compete.