Nothing in God’s economy ever goes to waste.
And if relationships are at the heart of that economy, then it is God’s heart to use the relationships he has given us for his purposes.
It is a tragedy when relationship breakdown occurs among Christians. That applies in particular to marriages but also in a more general sense. We can make light of church divisions and splits, but they must break God’s heart.
If God restored the world to himself through sending his Son to be in relationship with us, then an essential part of his plan is to use the relationships we have with each other to extend his kingdom on earth.
Few things amaze me more than how God can bring an old relationship back to life and use it for a present purpose. That happened to me a couple of years ago when a friend I had not heard from in over thirty years contacted me and set in motion a chain of events which now sees Elaine and I in a number of churches and with people most of whom we had never met before.
That in turn led us to regain contact with another friend of many years past which led to further kingdom activity.
I think we need to place a much higher value on friendship than we do. If a business operates through the shared self-interest of its owners and employees, the church operates largely through the bonds of friendship based on our common relationship with Christ.
If you have relationships which are broken, consider walking through the Biblical steps of forgiveness, lest you arrive in heaven and have to do some repenting and restoring there. Even if the other party fails to respond, at least you have obtained two precious commodities: a clear conscience and freedom from bitterness.
If you have relationships which are lost, consider sending out a search party. Those relationships cost a the Lord a lot to create - why just throw them away?
If you have relationships which are current and real, do everything you can to keep them healthy. The best way to do that is to be a giver, like God, not a taker. When two people stick their straws into each other to receive, neither gets much, for the well quickly runs out. When two people come to each other with a cup overflowing with God’s grace, both are more than satisfied.
Don’t let your friendships go to waste. They’re about a lot more than mutual benefit. They’re meant for his benefit, which ultimately does mean yours.
And then the kingdom moves forward.
CONSIDER PARTNERING WITH DAVID & ELAINE CAMPBELL IN HELPING TO SUSTAIN THEIR ACTIVE MINISTRY.
AWAKENING MINISTRIES // FOUNDATION of FAITH Project
Foundation of Faith Project is strengthening generations in faith and bringing beautiful changes to the communities around them. Through teaching, mentoring and coaching, many are finding out who they are and who they are destined to be. They are bringing more to their world. David Campbell is the key leader in this initiative and you can support him financially directly through Awakening Ministries.
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For those in the UK, you may also support us through Emmanuel Church Durham, which receives and passes on any financial gifts designated to us. You are welcome to contact Jenny, the church treasurer, at finance@emmanuel.org.uk, and she will be glad to let you know how you can support us on a once-off basis or by standing order.