Gary Zimak - Find a Real Friend in Jesus: Ten Amazingly Easy Steps

I magine for a minute that a complete stranger came up to you and asked a simple question: Do you know Jesus?

How would you answer? Assuming you would say yes, lets pause and consider some potential follow-up questions from our hypothetical stranger:

What can you tell me about him?

What are his likes and dislikes?

Do you speak with him frequently?

How often do you visit him?

How can I get to know him?

Interesting questions, arent they? If they make you feel uncomfortable, dont panic. In all honesty, these questions will probably make many people a little uneasy. Trying to answer them usually makes us realize that our relationship with Jesus isnt what it should be. And that realization is not a bad thing at all. It isnt until we know that there is a problem with our relationship that we can take steps to correct it.

As someone who was baptized into the Catholic faith and went to Mass every Sunday for all of my life, I can assure you that not everyone who goes to church has a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Even though I received him every week in Holy Communion, I didnt know Jesus. And it wasnt his fault at all. It was mine!

For years the Lord was right beside me, asking me to be his friend. Unfortunately, I was too busy to respond. The only time I ever spoke with him was when I needed something. In an emergency, I always seemed to remember Jesus. I knew where to find him when I was in trouble, but I would forget about him as soon as he answered my prayer.

This reminds me of an old joke: A man was late for a job interview, and he was frantically searching for a parking spot. He drove up and down the aisles of the parking structure, and there was not a spot in sight. Finally, in an act of desperation, he cried out to the Lord, Lord, if you help me find a parking spot, I promise to turn my life around. Ill pray every day and give up cheating on my taxes and watching bad TV shows. Just as he finished his prayer, the man discovered a vacant parking spot. Never mind, Lord, he exclaimed, I found one!

Jesus loves us unconditionally, and he absolutely wants us to turn to him when were in trouble. A health scare in 2004 got my attention and made me seriously pursue a close relationship with the Lord. But Jesus also wants us to turn to him when were not in trouble. He is much more than someone who bails us out when we need something.

Even though Jesus and I speak every day now, Im not content. In fact, I will spend the rest of my life trying to grow closer to him. Just as I desire to do with my wife, I want to get to know and love Jesus more each day.

Now, you may be reading this and thinking that you dont know where to start with getting to know Jesus personally. The good news is that you have already started by picking up this book. By the time you finish reading it, you will have ten amazingly easy steps that will help draw you closer to the Lord. While these steps require some work on your part, they are simple enough that anyone can put them into practice.

Its also important to remember that youre not the only one working on your relationship with Jesus. This is a relationship that Jesus wants even more than you do! Once you start speaking to him more and spending time in his presence, he will share more of himself with you. In other words, hell do some of the work. With both of you working on the relationship, you will grow closer to one another. Youll also receive help from God the Father, the Holy Spirit, Mary, and the Church!

As you move through the following chapters, youll learn how much Jesus loves you and how much he wants to be your friend. Even if every other person in the world responds to his offer of friendship, he will have a sense of emptiness until you respond. Well open the Bible and look at how lives were changed forever because of encounters with Jesus. Then well explore concrete steps that you can take to grow closer to the Lord. These techniques will bear fruit in your life.

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, this book is designed for you. If youve never spoken to Jesus, youll learn how to get started. If you speak to him infrequently, youll discover ways to speak to him more often. Even if you already have a close personal relationship with the Lord, you wont be excluded, as well discuss ways to keep your relationship fresh.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus makes an offer to each of us: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). His words serve as a reminder that he will not force himself into our lives. It is up to us to answer the door and invite him in. If we respond, he will enter more deeply into our lives. Its as simple as that.

You have already responded to the Lords knocking by opening this book. As you sit before him, you face an important decision that only you can make. Are you ready to invite Jesus more deeply into your life?