Associations and Friendships (2)

Every relationship has its place in God’s agenda for your life and for the lives of a great number of people. We must have God’s mind concerning our relationships.

Every relationship has a life-span. Some relationships should have been cultivated much earlier than when they were eventually activated; One would have missed out on the benefits and advantages that could have been gained over the years, and it might be a little difficult to regain those lost opportunities.

Some relationships should have been terminated long ago, they have exceeded their life-span. These kind of relationships do more harm than good. Sometimes we continue to hang on stubbornly to such associations and invariably we cause damage to our lives and existence. When a relationship has gone past its ‘best before’ or ‘expiry’ date (as it were), we poison our lives and destinies when we continue to hang on to them.

Some relationships however, are engaged before their time. Such relationships will turn out to be ‘good for nothing’ in the sense that they will be more of a nuisance than a pleasure. When a relationship is compelled to begin before its activation date, it will definitely mal-function.

No association ever leaves you the same. Relationship is in one word – INFLUENCE.

Relationship is impact. For everyone you closely associate with, there is a deposit- either negative or positive. Friendships and relationships should be with people of shared values and beliefs. If your friend profanes that which you hold sacred, your relationship is heading the wrong way. ”Can two walk together except they be agreed?” Amos3:3. When you have relationships that encourage you to act and live contrary to your ideals and values, your life may be spinning fast towards disaster.

Picking and choosing friends and those with whom we associate closely must be done with great dependence of God with care and attention. Apart from the fact that we should choose those with whom we share the same values and beliefs, there are some other things we also need to give careful attention to. God is very interested in our relationships. He uses relationships tremendously in our lives.

– KJO