This past week, Carrie and I had the privilege of speaking to a middle school assembly at a local Christian School on relationships. I thought I would share the highlights with you since the topic is so important and since it is February, the month we celebrate love on Valentine’s day. I hope you enjoy!
There is nothing more important than relationships. In the very beginning of it all, when God spoke the stars into existence as well as all that is in the earth and sea, God saw all that He made and said it was good. On that sixth day, God made man and declared this also good. But soon thereafter, He proclaimed that it was not good that man be alone. So, he made Eve for Adam, the beginning of relationships; man and woman, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. God put the exclamation on relationships by declaring them very good. There is nothing more important than love.
When Jesus walked the earth, someone asked him a fantastic question. The question asked was that of all the commandments, which is the most important? In other words, of all the words included in the sacred text of Scripture, and in all our faith tradition, and in the do’s and don’ts, Jesus, if you could summarize what is most important, what would you say? Jesus response was simple; Love God and love others.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
Loving God is the easy part. Loving others is a little messier, a little harder. Yet God saw that it was not good that we were alone. We need each other. Relationships make us stronger and make us sharper. God encourages us that “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”(Proverbs 27:17) and that “though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves and a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
There are three categories of relationships;
- those above us
- those around us
- those below us
We could just as easily say those ahead of us, those with us, and those behind us. The first group includes our parents but also includes many others; teachers, coaches, pastors, governmental figures and employers. Concerning this group scripture provides the following counsel;
Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2
Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. Ephesians 6: 1-3
Everyone has someone above them and we are all to submit. We are to provide this group honor. And honor not just from our lips but from our heart as this is where honor resides.
For those around us, scripture encourages us to honor this group as well and to love them.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
This group includes siblings and friends, associates and strangers. We should do nothing out of selfish ambition, but all with love. We should not put down or demean, but rather build up and encourage, cheering each other on to love and good deeds and hoping for the best in each other. And keep in mind, many people will come and go, but family is for life.
For people below us and behind us, we should set an example. We should treat them with the love and respect with which we long to be treated. As those that are ahead and before us have influenced and impacted our lives, so we should take our place among the great cloud of witnesses and show others the way.
There is nothing more important than relationships.