When Souls Connect - Flint's Eastside

Focus Scripture

"I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends." – John 15:15

Thoughts

There’s something unforgettable about meeting someone and instantly connecting—like your soul recognizes something familiar in them. You laugh at the same things, finish each other’s thoughts, and feel safe enough to cry without judgment. Time flies, walls fall, and suddenly you’re not just sharing moments, you’re sharing hearts.

I remember moments like that growing up in Flint, Michigan. Sitting on porches, playing baseball, or running the streets until the streetlights came on. Play. Walking home from Rock Park with scraped knees and wide smiles. I think of the late-night talks, the shared secrets, the inside jokes that still make me laugh. Lifelong friendships were forged in those places. We were young, but we were real. And those connections still echo through my life today.

But even the most meaningful earthly relationship is just a shadow of the intimacy Jesus desires with us.

Jesus doesn’t just want your Sunday best. He wants your Monday mornings, your tired prayers, your silly laughter, and your honest tears. He wants friendship—not just formality. Vulnerability—not just victory. He invites us to sit with Him, to walk with Him, to share life with Him. He is not distant. He is deeply personal. He calls us friends.

Life Application

Think about your closest earthly friendship—the kind of relationship where you can be fully yourself. Now ask: Do I pursue that kind of closeness with Jesus?

Jesus already knows you deeply, but He longs for you to invite Him into every corner of your life.

This week:

• Set aside time to talk to Jesus as you would a dear friend—honestly and without filters.

  
  

• Reflect on how you can cultivate daily intimacy with Him—through worship, journaling, walking, or even laughter.

  
  

• Thank God for the people in your life who reflect His love and remind you of His nearness.

Closing Prayer

Jesus, thank You for calling me Your friend. You desire not just my obedience, but my heart. Help me to know You more deeply, to trust You more fully, and to love You more intimately. Teach me to walk with You like I would with a trusted companion—honest, unguarded, and full of joy. Amen.

Let me know if you’d like a version that ties in marriage, mentorship, or siblinghood in Christ more specifically.

My buddies from Flint, Michigan. Friends for 35-50 years. My son, Jake, is on the far right.