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"Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
(Ecclesiastes 4:12)
Recently while in Dallas, TX, I had the opportunity to ask a podcast expert named Casey what he thought would be some good topics to cover on my podcast, REvangelical. He said these days, anything on relationships would be huge. I think he is spot on, and my plan in 2021 is to address this topic in at least a couple episodes.
Why is the topic of relationships so popular today? First of all, we are isolated more than ever! The combination of the pandemic and the increasing time most of us are spending behind our phones, tablets, and computers is starving people of meaningful social interaction and the feeling of genuine connection with others. In a day when there is more access to information than ever before, loneliness and isolation are at all-time highs.
God did not create us to live in isolation. We are human beings, not human doings, and we are made to be in fellowship with others. As an introvert, I am pretty content being by myself. I enjoy reading, writing, and exercising, and there is a proper time and place for all of this. But I need to interact with other people. God told Adam it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). God created Eve to be Adam's wife so they could... what? So that they could be together. God gives us family and friends to spend time with. God also has given us colleagues and co-workers, as well as acquaintances and even strangers. It is hard, by the way, to share the Gospel with people who do not know Jesus if you are never with people who do not know Jesus!
I am so grateful to God for my wife of 34+ years, Ashley. She is my best friend, and I love doing life with her. I am also blessed with a wonderful family, friends, and staff at church whom I enjoy being with. Relationships are golden! There is really no substitute for having interaction, dialogue, and fellowship with other human beings.
Look for a podcast episode or two from me on the subject of relationships in 2021. They are so vital to our well-being. Some relationships are very strained right now due to the many pressure-points we are currently experiencing as a society: economic hardships, the coronavirus, and political differences have created some major divisions and strained way too many relationships. But there is a better way! It is the way of Jesus.
Jesus wants us to be in healthy relationships. First, He desires a relationship with you. That's right: a one-on-one relationship with you. He then desires for you to be in close proximity and fellowship with people of faith, the church. He wants you and me to be social and interact with others at work and play, always being sensitive to the opportunities He gives us to speak a good word to someone or do a kind deed on their behalf. It is impossible to do all this in isolation. So, let's get out there and meet and greet and celebrate the gift and beauty of relationships!
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