We are relational creatures, forged in the character’s of The Relational Father, God. We enter existence feeling terror and attempting to cling to our mother. As she provides for us and connect with us, we store the much needed deposits of love. Having stored enough love, we perceive ourselves to be loved in the absence of our mother. We start relating to our mother. Once bonded, we move to experience our boundaries and form our identity. Later, we reconcile with ourselves and become level with others. Our parenting and childhood experiences shape our relational intuitions or lenses. We use those relational lenses, to connect with others and God.
We need love, truthfulness and time so we can form new relational lenses. Those ingredients can be obtained only from trustworthy others and God. Moreover, our relationships with our loved and close ones allows love and gratitude to flow to us thereby fortifying our self value.
I personally believe, that relationships are the main triggers for our emotions. It is not what we own or what we achieve, but how does our relationship meet our needs to be known, understood and loved. If you feel angry or sad , you can probably trace that to demands or losses in your current relationship. Conversely, if you are feeling joy and gratitude, it is because your relational partners exporting love, acceptance and empathy to you.
We are wired to connect with others and God. We, nevertheless, can succeed when we relate through the bonding and distinctness lens. We then form our identity, build trust and disclose ourselves to others.
My beloved, Jesus is not a fire escape or lottery ticket to heaven. He is an intimate God who longs to be known by us. He manifests Himself through His word and others whom He dwell in.
Faith is not a random gift to be bestowed by God. It is the inevitable outcome, when we respond reliably to God’s love initiative on the cross. Love and hope are relational too. The apostle told the Colossians church 2:2 ”that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,“
I invite you to take an inventory of your relationships. Especially paying attention to the state of your relationship with Jesus. Then begin giving time and effort to deepen trust, disclose yourself and reconcile. That is the cornerstone of abundance in life.
