O By The Way

Some years ago, I read a paperback book entitled, “We Really Do Need Each Other.”  It was actually a commentary of I John, an important letter in the New Testament about the person of Christ and how he had come to bring salvation and to help us understand personal relationships.  The book has since gone out of print, I can’t even find it in my “stacks,” but it remains etched in my mind, if only with the one main idea….We honestly, obviously, truthfully do need each other.  We were not designed to go this alone.

If we look at how that plays out in ordinary life, we can see how interdependent we are.  We need others and their skills and insights, and we need to trust them to treat us with respect and honesty, if not a good deal of sensitivity.  Think of all the connections you will make just today that require a trustworthy attitude.  When that breaks down, anything can happen, and it usually does.  But it almost always catches us by surprise. 

So if we can’t go it alone and we really do need each other how can we make the most of the friendships God has made possible for us?  I think first of all, we need to view all relationships as a gracious gift from God.  REgardless of how I feel on any one day, toward a particular person, they have been placed in my life and are a gift from God.  Of course any relationship can change for better or for worse at any time but as I see that relationship as God’s gift, I will want to treat that person truthfully and with respect at all times. This means there will be times when I will be there to affirm and encourage that person in tough times.  I will be there to celebrate with them in times that are good.  And I will be there to speak truth to my friend when I sense they have taken a wrong turn.

This is the most challenging role to play in a relationship.  But as God has shown what it means to be a friend in Jesus Christ, I must be willing to sacrifice and help others to seek truth in all situations.  I think of times in my life when colleagues have helped me to see reality and then promise to stand with me as I work out how to repond faithfully.  It took grace and great courage for Nathan to stand up to King David (II Samuel 12), calling him to repentance for his lustful, murderous ways stemming from his adulterous actions with Bathsheba.  It took a marvelous act of grace for Jesus to invite Peter back into the fellowship of the post-resurrection community of disciples on the beach (John 21). 

Each of these characteristics is important in an authentic relationship.  And as we connect in this way, another thing happens that is vital to our walk through life.  Our very relationship, seen as a gift of God and following his ways of grace and truth, are a shining witness to the life and mission of Christ and God’s kingdom.  In our interactions, people can see the promise of God in action. 

I hope you can appeciate the interdependency in your relationships with others.  That is a gift from God itself as we find ways to enhance our connections together.  And, as will follow in my next post, we can see what God is wanting to do with those connections.  They are not an end unto themselves as often is the case. 

Please forgive me for taking so long between posts.  It has been an odd summer and early fall for me and I think now I can return to a regular schedule of blogging, at least a couple of times each week.   And I hope to hear from some of you, your ideas and thoughts, by clicking on the “comment” below and sending it along.  Thanks for reading along.