FIVE RELATIONSHIPS WE NEED TO COVET
A Blueprint from the Life of Jesus
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
God is our creator. He created our innermost being. The design of the human body is designed as body and soul together, an external and internal life completely intertwined. God made human beings, unlike all other parts of creation. In Genesis, Chapter 2 is the first we find that “it is not good that the man should be alone”. Adam, the first human, had breath in his lungs, but he existed in a dissatisfactory state that could only be remedied by a corresponding human. God’s displeasure indicated that all his beautiful, external pleasures were not the path to deep satisfaction for man. The dissatisfactory state of being “alone” meant he could only thrive in the context of a relationship. Human life is designed for fulfillment in a state of connection. God designed human souls to be moldable, vulnerable, and open to the connections we have. It is part of our divine design of belonging. It is also a reflection of how God Himself lives – always connected as Father, Son, and Spirit. Relationships are what create the fullness of life for humans. (Reference Genesis 2:18-22).
God’s work was not complete until He made woman. He could have made her from the dust of the ground as He had made man. But He chose to make her from the man’s flesh and bone. In doing so He illustrated for us that in marriage man and woman symbolically become one flesh. This is a mystical union of the couple’s hearts and lives. Throughout the Bible, God treats this special union seriously. The goal in marriage is more than friendship – it should be oneness.
God’s character goes into the creation of every person. When you feel down and as if nobody cares, God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. God thinks of you constantly (Reference Psalm 139:17-18). We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us. God’s design in our making is part of our divine design of belonging. God looked at all the worldly things and declared long ago they would not ever fully satisfy a man. Relationships are what create the fullness of life for you. Jesus developed five types of human relationships in His earthly life. Your physical environment interacting together is a deciding factor in living a fulfilled life.
Connection – This is the connection between social attitudes and productivity. The connection, the positive spontaneous interaction we make with people is the key to living out the perfect design for human life. Jesus’ closest human relationship was with a core of three men – Peter, James, and John. Jesus built His connection with them through proactive self-disclosure. He allowed them to see parts of Him no other disciples saw. To make visible something internal is how you build your core. Your core few are the people you know like no one else does. They are God’s design to provide you with a flesh-and-blood experience of unconditional love – or as close as you can get! Human souls need to feel known to experience love. Your core knows the real you and is in the best position to give you a vital sense of unconditional love. Note: the extent to which you believe you are known by someone is the extent to which you will be able to feel loved by that person. Your core is built to model the kind of kinship and closeness of a God who invites you into a relationship with Him. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Take on the challenge of being a true friend to someone who needs your friendship.
Circle – This is a circle of friends. Your physical environment, the interaction of your soul needs a circle of people in your life. Jesus had a clear circle of twelve disciples which was His most obvious circle of followers throughout the gospels. When you identify your circle, they will be friends who give full loyal support to you inside your weekly places and daily activities, a true friend. They will be patient, kind, and gentle. They live a life that is submitted to God’s Will. They live a Sacrificial Life on behalf of others and work diligently to embrace the Good in Others. The size of the circle in the life of Jesus is evidence of a divine relational design for all of us. Jesus kept a core of three that was part of a circle of twelve in total. Circle friends are essential for thriving. One can make it without a strong circle, but they are part of God’s gift for your daily life. Developing a circle gives you the support and delight you were made to have. We should not disqualify ourselves from service to Christ because we do not have the expected credentials. Being a good disciple is simply a matter of following Jesus with a willing heart. Our strength comes from God, but He meets many of our needs through our teamwork with others. As you serve Christ, don’t try to go it alone. (Reference Mark 3:13-19; Mark 6:6-13).
Comrades – soldiers who fight the same battle and face the same enemy. Comrades in your relationships are on the same mission and understand what victory they want to see. Comrades help you train and get equipped with resources, strength, and encouragement for the mission of your life. God created each of us to physically perform meaningful work on this earth. To the very first man and woman, God said, “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth…”. (Reference Genesis 1:28). We are designed to work in, on, and through God’s creation. The human connections that help you do this are part of your inner circle, your core, your blueprint to thrive. Jesus’ comrades were clearly those who were aligned with His mission to spread the Kingdom of God. Comrades are your encouragers and the restorative help you need to keep fighting the fight. We must have an active faith; training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what we know is right. Christian service requires training and sacrifice. It is important to dedicate our skills to God’s Kingdom, but we must be equipped with His power and have a clear vision of what He wants us to do. (Reference 1 Timothy 6:12; Luke 10:1-2).
Community – the network you develop just by living your life. We all need a community, a group of people who know and welcome you. The benefit to your soul is a reminder that you are always connected whether you see it or not. Community is a mixed network that arises from just living your life. They are the web of people from your external circumstances. The way to build and love community in your life is to do good to them when you have the opportunity. We are supposed to say yes to being a blessing to someone when we see the opportunity! Jesus moved through His community relationships committed to possibility, but He never appeared to feel an obligation to make everyone a closer companion. We are to ask God to help us do good to those around us as we have the chance. It is discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word of thanks or see no tangible results. But Paul challenges us to keep on doing what is right and to trust God for the results. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessings. We must be careful to live in loving obedience to Him so we can be sure that our lives will produce a harvest of blessings that will bring us great joy. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).
Crowds – are the vast number of people who orbit our lives but with whom we have no ongoing relationship. These people do matter! Our souls need crowds! In the crowd, we don’t know what is going to take place. God created human life with elements of uncertainty as an unfolding story. In the crowd, God can send strangers to help, bless, or surprise us with divine appointments. According to Jesus, we must re-learn how to become a neighbor and to live according to God’s design for us. Jesus challenged people around Him to consider the value of someone completely outside their notice. Someone they would avoid, dismiss, or look at as a distraction. Jesus suggested that this very person might contain a key to living the thriving life of God Himself. “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them …” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus was overwhelmed with compassionate pity for the crowd of people because they were helpless like sheep without a shepherd. His response echoes the deep inner mercy of God. Jesus came to be their Shepherd, the one who could show them how to avoid life’s pitfalls. (See John 10:14).
Something To Think About
On one occasion a certain lawyer stood up to tempt Jesus. “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said unto him, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” The lawyer answered, You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied, “Do this and you will live.” (Reference Luke 10:25-36).
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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County and is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She finds purpose and joy in writing Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs, Memorials, and now expanding to include weekly articles to other churches, as well as writings to include Christian-based articles on Relationships in Marriage; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. From personal experience, I hope to set an example of how to serve a risen Savior and live by the Holy Spirit with joy. My goal is to help people partake of the better option in life to experience the transforming power that is available in Christ Jesus today. You can read more, good, Christian news from Glenda HERE.
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