Relationships just happen…if you’re lucky you get a good one…some people just have it made…they’re soul mates, it’s almost fate…
OK, I don’t believe any of the stuff I just wrote! And anyone who has had any real experience in relationships (either close friendship or romantic…of which the later should be a extension of the former – but that’s digressing…I’m not going to chase that rabbit just now!!) knows that true and strong relationships take effort. You make an effort at communication – firstly you listen (the most important part of communication – but that’s another rabbit!), you find things that connect with the other person and you seek to have deep discussions, and very importantly you don’t assume that you’re always right (because none of us are – sorry to burst your bubble :p)…I could go on and on on the topic of communication – it’s fundamental…but what are some other things that build strong relationships? How about spending QUALITY time together? No distractions period. How about seeking to do memorable things together – imaginative instead of run-of-the-mill? Things that will bring you closer to the person you’re seeking to build a relationship with and that you’ll both remember forever…and when you do you’ll always remember that person. I could go on with points to build strong relationships…but what I’m putting down and hoping you’ll pick up isn’t about people…
As Christians we have a relationship that transcends any human relationship we could ever have. Revelation 3:20 describes it this way, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Jesus is here describing what He desires…a personal relationship with each one of us. And just like human relationships we need to invest in our relationship with Christ. Paul writing to the Philippians says in chapter 3:8 (from the Amplified Bible), “Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]…” Does that sound like a haphazard or aimless attempt on Paul’s part to become closer to Christ? I don’t think so! He has his priorities right – he counts everything as loss that stops him from, “progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him!”
What do you think that looks like in our lives? Well, I’m not going to totally answer that as it may look different for each one of us. However, I’m going to share an experience I had today that prompted this post.
It was a long day at work today, I got home and was rather exhausted – I felt like vegetating in the hammock and taking it easy. Waiting for me were some emails that needed replies plus some GYC design work that is due in the next few days…I came in and started addressing the to do list, when I had the impression I needed to get out and spend some time with God – one-on-one. Sure I’d had my devotions at the beginning of the day, but this was something different. God and I needed to spend QUALITY time together – something imaginative instead of run-of-the-mill. Mount Cooroora was the destination. And the date was with God. And you know we had a total blast! I got up the top of the 458 meter mountain and watched the sun set as I read my Bible and talked to God – the birds sang their songs of praise, the wind whispered in the gum trees – everything was peaceful. The moon came out and I watched the clouds drift by as I reflected on my walk with Christ and talked to my Father in Heaven about life – my dreams, wishes and plans. And there in the stillness I recommitted my life afresh to the best friend I’ve ever had. I felt like I was walking on air (except for the near vertical decent over rocks lol) as I came down off that mountain in the dark…those few hours I’d spent had become the highlight of the week! And now every time I think of Mount Cooroora I’ll remember an evening on October 9 in the year 2008.
Friends having Jesus as our Saviour (Savior for you folks in the USA!) is about a relationship with the God of the universe. And like any relationship we need to invest in it. Why don’t you think about creative ways you can spend QUALITY time with Christ in your life…not that God doesn’t already love you more than you can imagine, it’s us that benefit from these experiences – they draw us closer to Him and help cement our relationship. Words can’t begin to express what an awesome time I had this evening…and like with a human relationship I want to have these special times as often as I can – don’t you?! 
