RELATIONSHIPS... Sunday

Devotional for 5/17/15

Relationships are built over time.  For some people it is easy to form friendships, seeking out connections with others and quickly forming ties.  For other people it is more difficult, perhaps even building walls around themselves to keep others away.  They may fear being dependent, abandoned or hurt.  Some relationships are very superficial acquaintances, while others are deep and lasting.  Sometimes when one has bared their soul to another over time and trusted them with their deepest darkest secrets, the bond feels sacred.

Relationships can also end.  This may be due to it being a casual connection that simply drifts apart.  Or one person moves away making it more difficult to maintain contact.   At other times one person grows and the other does not, so the imbalanced relationship no longer works well.  Some endings happen suddenly while others dissolve gradually over time.  Sometimes we may be happy to move on and get away from someone who is unhealthy for us.  Other times the departure is painful due to divisiveness or betrayal.  Or that sacred interconnected relationship changes due to unforeseen circumstances.

That is what happened to me this past week.  A very close relationship built over time that was cherished by me is taking a new turn that I did not anticipate.  While I still have my other beautiful relationships, like that with my husband, family and close friends, it hurts to see this other connection become much more distanced.  It is leaving a big hole in my heart because she means so much to me and has helped me beyond words.  She has changed my life.  It literally brings tears to my eyes as I mourn my loss.

I can only imagine that the disciples felt as much and probably more sorrow when they saw Jesus crucified.  They had left everything to follow him and learn from him.  He had changed their lives and now he was leaving them in a way they never anticipated.  And then Mary Magdalene could not find his body in the tomb - she too was devastated to tears.  Little did they know at the time that this was necessary to bring even greater glory to the story of their lives.  Because of God's sacrifice of his Son on the cross, all people on earth are given the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life in heaven with him.  The empty tomb did not mean Jesus was lost and gone forever.  It meant He rose again and walked with them on earth until he ascended into heaven.  And by the power of the Spirit, the disciples were given faith and spread the good news to all who would listen.  Their temporary "loss" of Jesus became their gain, and the whole world's gain!

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage: rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dear Jesus, help us to remember your special relationship with the Father - being humbly obedient unto death - creating your special relationship with us as our Savior through your resurrection.  May we reflect that relationship with others as we serve them and bring them the Good News of salvation.  Comfort us as we grow in our relationships and as they change, knowing that you will be with us always, helping us through difficulties and reminding us that sometimes what appears to be heart-wrenching can turn out to be heart-growing!  Forgive us when we forget to lean on you in all things.  In your name we pray,  Amen.

written by Jan Andersen