Relationships are two-way things. We can’t build a strong friendship if it isn’t balanced. Maybe you know someone who you’ve helped when they’ve been struggling, spent time with them, supported when they’ve been upset. But they don’t seem to do the same for you when you need help. It makes it difficult for you to trust them or rely on them. Not the best basis for a strong, lasting friendship. Luke 6:38 tells us: ‘Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back’ (NIV). If we’re not prepared to put much effort into a relationship, we can’t realistically expect the other person to give up their time and effort for us. When God sends us friends, boyfriends/girlfriends or husbands/wives, we need to be prepared to invest into that relationship. Otherwise, we end up drifting apart and the relationship gets damaged or falls apart completely. We’ve talked over the last couple of days about how relationships are made up of imperfect people. Sometimes we can avoid putting too much effort into a relationship because our friend or partner isn’t perfect; they’re okay for now, but what if there’s someone even better just around the corner? But in our search for the ‘perfect’ friend or the ‘perfect’ partner, we might miss the less-than-perfect person that God wants us to be with. So whatever relationships you’re involved with at the moment (friendships or a romantic relationship), make a commitment to giving and pouring as much love as you can into that relationship.
What now?
Get in touch with a friend that you don’t see very often and arrange to spend some time together.