It's About Relationships

In God's kingdom, it's all about relationships. He created us to have an intimate relationship with Him, He planned for man and woman to be united in marriage and for His children to be united as a body of Christ enjoying fellowship with each other. I understood the first two but up till recently found it hard to understand the importance of the last one.

We are all created with different personalities and it's difficult (if not impossible) to get along with everyone. Some people will naturally attract us, while others might have the opposite effect. For a period of time, I was really struggling with this. It seemed like I was surrounded by people I didn't 'click' with in church and it was quite torturous having to hang around them. All I did was basically 'put up' with them and escape as fast as I could when the event ended.

Over the past few weeks, God has been transforming my mind and giving me new perspectives in this area. Building relationships are fundamental to building the church. We need to be a close-knitted, united and loving community in order to reach out to the lost because that in itself is a testimony. If there is disunity and discord within the church, how can we expect the people we bring to want to stay on? It starts from the inside. The people make up the heartbeat of the church, and this will overflow into the streets, communities, cities, nations... I want the overflow of my church's heart to be love.

As my mindset changed, the way I behaved changed too. I want to pour out myself - my time, love, energy - into people because every single one of them is so precious to God and have such vital roles to play. At resort, I found myself especially drawn to the younger girls. I just feel so much love for them! I want to help nurture them and walk with them through life because I've been there and I know how painful and confusing it can get... I see so much potential in them!

Granted, I still don't particularly enjoy being around some people. But that's no longer the point. If that's what it takes to advance God's kingdom, I'm in! I will put self interest aside and live for Christ.

I lay down my life for You
Throw down my crowns before You
Give up my all for Your name...