One of the best biblical models of the kind of disciple we are called to be is Joshua. We see this in one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament, Exodus 33:7-11:

       Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.

        So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle.

        It came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.

        All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door.

        So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle (NKJV).

         Even though the people had one of the greatest men of God of all time in their midst, Moses, they still went out to meet with God themselves in the tent of meeting. However, it was different when Moses went, as the Lord Himself would descend to meet with him. The sight was so awesome the entire camp would watch and worship the Lord. Joshua, the personal assistant of this great man of God, actually got to accompany Moses to these meetings. How incredible would that have been?

         Even so, it was not enough for Joshua to be the closest associate to the greatest man of God of his time. It was not enough for Joshua to be content to sit in on the personal meetings Moses had with God. When Moses departed from these meetings, Joshua stayed, developing his own relationship with the Lord. This was likely the reason why Joshua was chosen to lead Israel after Moses. Joshua was not content to have a relationship with the Lord through someone else, even one as great as Moses.

         You do not need a theology degree, or to be a pastor, author, or any other Christian leader to be God’s best friend. You only need the heart to pursue Him. It is a sound biblical truth that we are all as close to God as we want to be. If we seek Him, we will find Him. If we draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to us. How badly do you want to know Him?