Relationships?

One of the components of health and wholeness comes down many times to relationships.  There is evidence that true relationships contribute to a longer happier life.  It has also been proven that bad relationships contribute to depression, immune deficiency and high blood pressure.  So why would we run from relationships.  Could it be from the wounds and hurts from those we have trusted?

I love this present youth culture.  They seem to be willing to risk everything secure for a life filled with relationships and spirituality.  Connection to them must be something bigger than themselves.  Could it be because the pursuit of relationships and spirituality, have become a passion and longing to possibly surpass the doldrums of the ordinary?

I’ve discovered in watching people that there is a deceptive trap set up for them which leaves them with the danger of ending life all alone.  But this trap is more than leaving you lonely.  Without vulnerable, true connection, it may leave your life with small thinking, unworthy distractions, and missed opportunities that more than likely would bring growth and inspiration.   I’ve also seen busy people, who run from relationships be left bent on giving with a difficulty of receiving.  The problem with not receiving, listening and taking time to be brought into some else’s world, could steal new revelation, vision and inspiration.  That may make you old before your time with not much left to give.

When Jesus said to the disciples, Follow Me and I'll make you fishers of men.  This was more than drop your nets and follow Me from town to town.  Jesus was calling them into a new dimension, a new space.  Calling them from merely an experience with Him, but inviting them into a relationship. 

I’ve discovered how easy it is to get stuck in what I believe is an addiction to experience.  An experience can be a one time event but usually driven to desire more than the previous experience gave.  I’ve watched people run from family and true connection because a new experience was valued more than working out a conflict or just going deeper which always comes from stepping into unfamiliar territory.

Obviously, relationships come from making hard commitments, enduring hardship, willingness to pay whatever the price may demand.  But even more running from the addiction of experiences.  We all love experiences, and most of them are inspiring and needed.  But to grow beyond a shallow thinking and a driven person with a short list; we must jump out of the boat of security and familiar.

I love Peter’s life three years after being called from fishing for fish to fishing for men.  He is drowning in the sea of failure.  He goes back to his experience of fishing for fish.  But it’s a set up!  He has gone all night with no fish.  Jesus shows up on the shore and yells out telling him how to fish.  Throw your nets on the other side!  He responds and Boom, the nets are full. 

Peter jumps out of the boat, leaving the fish on one side of the boat, to truly follow the Jesus.  By the way, that is true love when you leave something huge behind to run after Jesus’ calling.  He swims to shore only to sit with Jesus by a charcoal fire to never be the same again.  A relationship is born where Peter never questions again the value of an experience with Jesus versus a relationship with Him.

Peter truly leaped from one dimension to the next.  He is never on that boat again.  On the Day of Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit and Power, he comes out preaching Jesus.  3,000 saved with thousands to follow.  The net of his calling has moved from the boat to his mouth.  A mouth fulfilled with his purpose from a relationship that has the promise that he will never be alone again!  Never alone facing failure, strife and crisis alone again! 

Because he leaped into this scary new called dimension of fishing for men, he is left with the promise that Jesus loves him so much that he need never be embarrassed by his weaknesses, because he is now in relationship, with One who loves being strong in his vulnerable, weak space.

Experiences will come and go, but don’t allow them to become addictions!  Why?  Jesus is saying to You, Trust in Me!  I'm here with You to blow you into your destiny so you don't wallow in your history.

Paul