Many around us are silently asking, “Does anyone really love me?” I hope you know that God loves you. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Who loves ya, baby?” “But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NASB).

Most of us believe that God loves us. We believe it at least in a theological sense (“God loves everybody, right?”) But we don’t feel that He really personally “likes” us. We think He remembers all the bad things we’ve done in the past and is quick to judge how we’re doing now.

I must admit that there was at time that even though I knew that God loved me, I didn’t really believed that He like me or liked being with me personally. After all, I reasoned, God had bigger fish to fry, more important, talented, and spiritual people to hang out with. Many like me, assumed that He’s impatient, busy with more important things, and reluctant to spend time with us.

Years ago I made the discovery of a lifetime that changed my life. God not only loves me, He likes me! He not only loves you – He likes you! He wants to be your friend.
If I would ask you to list the qualities of a best friend, you would perhaps note things like “She/He accepts me the way I am”; “He/She always makes time for me”; “I always leave his/her presence feeling encouraged.” What you desire in a best friend is what God offers. He is trustworthy and patient. When you confess and turn from your sins, He does not call to mind the sins you’ve asked Him to forgive (Psalm 103). He sees a beloved child, a worthy heir (John 1:12).

Jesus wants to abide with you as His friend. “As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in my love” (John 15:9). “He offers His friendship to the godly” (Proverbs 3:32 NLT). Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). “Who loves ya, baby?” Jesus does. He likes you and wants to spend time with you. “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you a slave, but I have called you friends” (John 15:14, 15 NASB).

If you really love God and know that He loves you, you will want to spend time with Him. Your relationship with Him starts by answering His knock on your heart’s door. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him and he with me” (Revelation 3:20 NASB).

We were created to have a personal encounter and daily fellowship with God. Abraham was called a “friend of God”. David so desired God’s daily presence that he cried, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1).
Jesus gave us the picture of the branch of a grapevine abiding in the vine and bringing forth much fruit. Christ is the vine we are the branches. The more we abide in Him the more fruit we will see produced in our life. (See John 15.)

How can you abide in His love and become all that you were created to become? First, believe that God likes you and wants to have fellowship with you. Second, let God daily speak to you and cleanse you through His Word as you prayerfully read and meditate on what He has to say to you. It would be helpful to write a daily journal of what He is speaking to you about and insights gained. (See Colossians 3:16.) Third, pray. Talk to God as you would your best friend. Jesus wants to be your best friend. He wants you to share your heart, requests, desires, worries, needs, and your praise and thanks. Take time to get still before Him and allow Him to speak to your inner man. Fourth, find a church, where you can worship and serve this friend with other members of the family of the God.
You perhaps are thinking, “You sound like you really believe God is real and personal.” Yes! And, excuse the language, but “Who loves ya, baby?” I hope you have discovered that God does!