With or Without?
Back in your dating years, were you ever asked, “So who are you with?” Actually it should be asked, “With whom are you?” but most people don’t speak that way. Whether or not you are “with” another person may seem trivial, but it really isn’t. A universal concept pierces to the heart of this matter; namely, “it is not good to be alone”, and we aren’t talking about a date for a party or a sporting event. We are talking about life!
In Genesis 2:18, God speaks to Adam, his only created human and states, “It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.” In that simple statement resides the foundation for all relationships: marriage, family, church, friendships, relatives, neighbors, etc. What am I not saying? I am not saying that each of us wants to be around people all the time without a break. I don’t believe that at all. What I am saying is that we are built for relationships and meant to have abundant ones.
Abundant relationships will reflect the love of God and bind folks together in friendships, fellowship, and supportive roles to meet needs in the other person.
Questions for you to consider:
- With whom are you doing life?
- Are you with friends in your circle or without?
- Would you like to develop deep, lasting friendships with others?
- Do you know how to build friendships with others?
- Where would you start to be with others in abundant relationships?
About an hour ago I read a text from a friend. He told me that he loves being with his wife because they are loving each other with the love of Christ, but he was sad about a conversation he’d been in recently with a guy in his neighborhood. This other man said he was having a hard time in retirement because now he had to spend so much time with his wife. My friend was heart-broken. So am I.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Here’s how to brighten up your life and enjoy more time being with your spouse and other family/friends.
- Identify the “near ones”/ “neighbors”, and ask God to love them through you. Love after all is God’s idea. He is the source. Matthew 22:37-40
- Plan to spend time doing some things they enjoy so you can simply be with them. Enter their world by doing what they enjoy.
- Pray and ask God to show you what true friendship looks like. Ask Him to show you friends in the Bible and in your life – past or present. What makes them friends? Usually friendships are built around meeting needs. See Top Ten below.
- Ask God to show you how He loves you and identify two of three ways you can be a better friend: ask questions, listen well, join others doing what they like, invite others to be with you doing some things you both enjoy.
- Start with your best friend Jesus. Thank Him for loving you, for sacrificing His life so He could be WITH you now and forever, and for giving you love to share with others. Start sharing it sooner rather than later.
I know it is a risky thing being With others, but the alternative is a lonely existence living without real relationships. Accept the challenge of being With others and see what God will do in you and through you to love others in this lonely, sad world.