Can You Relate to This?

Society tells us we need more stuff.  TV constantly bombards us with the message of needing new things or more things.  New cars, better cars, fancier clothes, bigger houses, nicer vacations, bigger, better, MORE, MORE, MORE!

Our lives can seem overwhelmed with this message.  Sometimes we can feel frustrated and insignificant when we can’t keep up with what we are “supposed” to be pursuing.  Or we burn ourselves out be spending all of our time working and grasping to get the things that others tell us we need.  But what is it that we truly need?

That is a centuries old question.   For some, the answer has been to conquer lands and people.  That seems like a major thing to go after, but in the end it is hollow.  How do you manage and enjoy it when all you are doing is fighting to keep it!  It brings to mind the proverb that, “Those who live by the sword, die by the sword.”  Some have tried to fill their needs with power and wealth.  We could come up with lots of people who fit that category!  Unfortunately not many of them were truly content with their lives.  Others have chased happiness in unhealthy relationships.  King David is a perfect example.  He had it made.  He had riches, land and power, but messed it all up by having an affair with the neighbor girl.

I believe that the one thing that really fills us up and meets our needs is relationships.  While taking a counseling course at seminary, a professor made a very profound statement.  He said that most people who come to counselors have no one close to them to talk with, no one to share their struggles, no one with a shoulder to cry on, and no one who really cares.  Life is lonely for many people, but God did not intend it to be that way.

I believe one of the reasons that Jesus came to earth in bodily form was to teach us about relationships.  When asked what the most important commandment was he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all of you heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: Love your neighbor as your self.  There is no commandment greater than these.”(Mark 12:30-31)

So you see, Jesus’ most important commandments were about relationships.  First is our relationship with him.  Without that relationship we cannot be truly happy.  The second thing that Jesus taught was that we are to love those around us.  That means we need to give of ourselves, our time and our talents, so that others can see that we truly care for them.  So…go out and develop the relationships that count!

Ken Webb