How many times have you wondered about the purpose for a particular relationship? The thing is—there are multiple answers, depending on whose view you are questioning!
We always want to know what the purpose of a relationship is/was as it relates to our own interests. What about the other(s) involved? What is/was God’s purpose? One thing we know for sure, God’s purposes are typically multidimensional. He rarely does anything for one reason. So, what do we hope to learn from asking the question? The bigger issue is—how much do we want to know the truth?
We enter into relationships for a variety of reasons: personal, business, intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual, political, social and so on. Some are casual; others more formal. We interact with others. We celebrate life. As we do, we know we will experience a variety of outcomes. Relationships can bring joy as well as pain; gain as well as loss. Discerning truth from God’s perspective, however, always brings peace and lessons to add to our inventory of life experiences.
RELEVANCE
Seeing things from others’ perspectives is always challenging. Seeing from God’s perspective is even more challenging; yet it can be very enlightening. In every situation, seeing beyond self is crucial. It helps us relate with others, know God better and grow.
I frequently reflect on Job’s response to God after the 41 chapters of discourse between Job and his friends. They shared their many opinions and accusations, revealing their insensitivity and shallow perspectives. When God finally addressed Job, He revealed the divine perspective. What could Job say but, “no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You…I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:2-5). The truth brought knowledge; but something so much more valuable—real heart conviction and repentance, and ultimately redemption and restoration.
Regardless of the state of any of your relationships, the key things to look to God for are the redemptive values that can be gained. Everything God causes or allows has redemptive purposes associated with it. Likewise, every relationship has redemptive values.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Lift up your relationships to God; especially the challenging ones. Ask God for His perspective. Examine your heart; specifically your motives and expectations. Ask God how you might bless those you hurt or disappoint you. Ask God to reveal the potential redemptive values that can be realized through or as an effect of the relationship.
REFERENCES
Matthew 5:13-16