The Significance of Relationship

Think about this. I could live in my town, pay my taxes, do my banking, and patronize local businesses, but not know the name of my local officials, the bank teller or manager, the owner of the local restaurant or filling station.  In most cases, we can "get by" and "carry on" with our lives doing business without personal relationship.  But, as followers of Christ, the place we do life is our mission outpost.  So, if this scenario describes you and me, may we be challenged to do our business on a more relational basis, like Jesus did (John 1:14, John 3:16).

Let me take this a step further.  What if we did church this way?  Perhaps we can come on a Sunday morning, slip in, slip out and have total conversation of 30 seconds with one person until the next Sunday.  Perhaps we've "done our business" with God, but is this what he intended church to be?  Read Mt. 7:21-23, Acts 2:42-47 and Hebrews 10:19-25.  This is very challenging as well.  Do I have a real relationship with God?  Am I connected to others so that we love and challenge one another to walk with Christ?

Let me take this further still.  Life is so busy these days and so much of our time with family is "doing the business of life".  But if I relate with my spouse or my children in the same way I might live in my town, is there any wonder why problems might erupt in my home?  I am not proposing a simplistic answer to any or all of our problems.  However, I am suggesting that investing beyond the business of life with our spouse and children is significant.   Even more, for those who are parenting teens, no matter how difficult it may be to have a conversation with them; they are need you to create an environment of love, trust and respect in Christ.  Hmm…sounds like relationship.  They really are significant.

Enjoying a Dark Roast,
Pastor Chad
September 2010