My Friend

How do you really know someone? How do you get to know what someone is really like?

Over the past week or so I've watched several depictions of a guy I know; a close friend who has helped me through some rough times and has celebrated some awesome times with me too. Over the years I've gotten to know Him more and more, realising a bit more of His personality, His humour, what offends Him, what puts a smile on His face, who He is. Though we've never actually spoken face-to-face we're good mates. Though we're by no means equals (He's a lot older than me, and wiser, and richer and more powerful than me) He treats me like His little brother; constantly looking out for me.

It's a great relationship but to see Him portrayed in films or on TV in various ways has made me wonder about our friendship. I've found myself liking and disliking characteristics that the Directors have put on him; "I like this version of Him 'cos He's more sarcastic" or "nah, He's taller/bigger/stronger than this actor" or "He wouldn't have treated so-and-so like that".

And I find myself double-checking what I actually know for real about Him against that which I've put upon Him myself. How much is Him and how much is me making Him what I want Him to be? You know how sometimes when you meet someone you can imagine their personality and put all sorts of characteristics on them? I begin to wonder if I've done that.

But then He reassures me that it's ok not to know Him fully yet. I've known Him since I was a kid but there's so much I've yet to learn about Him.

He is who He is.

He will be who He will be.

No film or depiction is going to change His character.

He's still my friend, my Jesus, my Saviour.