Relationships.

All the Bible is about building relationships. Whether in friendship or marriage, it’s important that you’re willing to share your life. Sometimes that means being able to visit one another and spend time in person; sometimes that means calling when you say you will. Regardless, lasting and meaningful relationships require you to allow another person to know you as you are.

Relationships are the building blocks of our communities. When was the last time you really sat down and listened to what someone in your neighborhood had to say? What used to be a gathering of fellowship with your neighbors and friends, has evaporated in our lifetime. They started building garages on houses, so that when you got home, you enter the garage, close the door and don’t have to even see your neighbor. What used to be families staying together has come to kids leaving their parents, starting lives in other areas.

Building relationships is worthwhile, challenging work. God didn’t tell us the road ahead would be easy. In fact, we as Christians, know that we all have challenges.

Our priority must be on loving our neighbors—which means seeking their good over our own good.

What about you? Your neighbor doesn’t necessarily mean your direct neighbor. It could be your co-worker, someone you meet at the grocery store, or the homeless man on the corner. God wants us to love everyone, starting by loving God first.

Luke 10:27 - “He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”