Relationships are the most important thing in our lives.  

We are relational beings.  

Since the first human walked the earth, it’s been clear that relationships are necessary for happiness.  God himself declared in the second chapter of the Bible, “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’.” Genesis 2:18

The two greatest commandments are, “Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.”   Six of the ten commandments pertain to human to human relationships.    Four of the ten commandments pertain to human to God relationship.

“You must not have any other god but me.”
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind.”
“You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.”
“Observe the Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.”

“Honor your father and mother.”
“You must not murder.”
 “You must not commit adultery.”
 “You must not steal.”
 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.”
 “You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. . . or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Our greatest joys and sorrows come from relationships.  

Every couple can vouch for this.   Those of us in loving marriages can vouch for the unparalleled happiness of having a soulmate to share life with.  Others know the knawing pain of disconnection.  Every parent can vouch for this.  Sometimes I think my heart is going to crack open from parent pain.  It takes every gram of faith I have to hang onto hope.  Others proudly (in the right sense) cheer their offspring on as they serve God.

“I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.”  3 John 1:4

From prison Paul wrote to his young trainee, “ I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again . . .  As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me- even Phygelus and Hermogenes.”  2 Timothy 1:4

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. . . The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength.”  2 Timothy 4:14,17

Paul writing about his personal concern for people, “I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.  Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?”  2 Corinthians 11:28-29 

 

Our greatest responsibilities come in relationships.  

I feel our families are our first and most lasting responsibility.  I know every one of us has conflicting demands from jobs, community, church, and friends, but putting family first is our most important job.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the words of Jesus regarding treatment of children.

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

“But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”  1 Timothy 5:4

We learn the most in relationships.  

Haven’t you sat at your computer and wished someone would sit down beside you and explain what you just read about?  Maybe demonstrate the how-to?  Discuss what you should do next?  Information is great, but having a human you respect explain and answer questions is priceless.  Watching someone you love live a godly life brings principles to a practical level.  I can remember seeing my grandmother’s Bible devotional booklet open on the table to the day’s date and knew that she had read it before she ate her breakfast. For many years I have watched Husband’s parents model faithful service to those who are marginalized.  I know they are also serious pray-ers.  They have aged with deep love for each other and for God.  So thankful for these dear ones on the path ahead of me modeling how to live in faith.

Jesus spent three years with a small group of men.  He taught them and modeled truth in the days and nights of living together.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.  When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.  I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!  This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”  John 15:9-15

The apostle Paul mentored a young man named Timothy.  They spent years together, and later Timothy served on his own training others.

“Like a son with his father, he (Timothy) has served with me in preaching the Good News.”  Philippians 2:22

Marriage teaches us.  The relationship of marriage is a picture of how Jesus has lovingly committed himself to live beside us day in and day out.  And we respond by joyfully, faithfully taking his hand and going with him. 

“As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”(Genesis 2:24)  This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.  So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”  Ephesians 5:31-33

We make decisions based on the well being of relationships.  

Husband and I often say to each other, “We moved here to be with our grandchildren and children.  Nothing should interfere with our time with them.”  When this is our value, it’s easy to say, “No.” to other things.

Often times we have to choose between two good things.  People first.  Yesterday we had to choose between going to a second church service and attending an activity with new friends.  We felt that going with them would give us a chance to get to know our friends better which we value.  Relationships matter.  People are more important than appearances, than programs, than our comfort, than our convenience.  Relationships are the hardest thing we do.  They are the only thing that lasts past this life into eternity.

Celebrate and give thanks for your loving relationships today.  Keep giving wholehearted priority to your family and then to those in the family of faith.  Keep learning from others and remember those on the path behind you who need your example.