Are we God's friend?

Recently I heard this sermon by Steve Carter. Steve is the junior high director at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids. It really hit a cord with me. It deals with Cyrus, who God anoints to rebuild the temple and restore Jerusalem. The funny thing about this is that Cyrus doesn't even recognize God. So how does that all work that God anoints, which in Hebrew mean messiah. So this sortof one of those things that throwing traditional Christianity for a loop. So God call Cyrus, a pagan king his anointed. I think the question that this begs is why Cyrus? Why did God turn to a pagan king, someone who clearly doesn't belive that Yahweh exists. Couldn't God have found someone I don't know more 'Christian' or 'Jewish' or someone who actually worships God to do his work? I think something that fails people in north America is that we believe that anointing is reserved for the 'called'. But not for the everyday person, definitely not for a pagan king.
But, I think more importantly is that it shows that God can use anyone. God's anointed is not just for the pastors or those 'called' to ministry but for Christian all over. By being a follower of God you are anointed, we are all messiahed. God calls us all his anointed, but I think the question is do we believe it? Do we believe God has anointed all of us to be his friend in this world? I think it is something we have to choose, God is doing things in this world, but do we want to get involved. I think what Cyrus shows is that it takes action, God is calling people to join him. But if Christians don't' join God in what he is doing what happens? Does God wait on Christian to come around? Um, well the story of Cyrus says no, God will use whoever will join him. God needs friends in this world.
So the question is are we willing to be God's friend? If not God's work in this world will still get done, its just a matter if we will be apart of what God is doing in this world....