Do Relationships Matter?

I watched the movie this evening Up in the Air.  The lead character in the movie played by George Clooney racks up 10 million frequent flyer miles and is gone over 330 nights a year going around firing people as part of an outsourcing firm.  He is actually very happy with his life and he actually conducts seminars on living the “baggage free” life.  However, he finally towards the end of the movie realizes the value of relationships but it is too late and the movie ends with him going back into his routine of living on the road. 

Human beings were made for relationship.  The first is a vertical relationship with the living God which is only made possible through Christ’s sacrifice.  This relationship is one that is so intimate that he is our “Abba Father” or Daddy.  The fact that the living God desires a relationship with us is just too great to get our arms around.  But He does.  The best way to know God is to memorize His word.  I have made a commitment especially this year to memorize scripture daily.  A goal is a verse a day.  This is not legalism – I find that the more scripture I memorize, the more intimate the relationship.  Scripture becomes applied and personalized.  And since scripture is “God breathed”, God breathes new life into us. 

When the relationship with God is real, it overflows into our relationships with each other.  These relationships are also vital.  I find when my relationship with God is right, my relationship with other human beings usually is right.  And the opposite holds true as well.  I call this living out of “overflow”.  Jesus said that the he will become “rivers of living water flowing from his innermost being” (John 7:38).  Did you ever have joy so unspeakable that you can’t explain it, even when circumstances are not so hot?  So is a right relationship with the living God and with people.  Note they can’t exist without each other.  We can’t have a problem with others and expect our relationship with God to be right.  We must make that right first.  Jesus said go first and be reconciled with your brother. 

Thank you Lord that you created us for relationship!