Someone said,
"If I have actually grown in my life, it is because I have flown on the wings of those that have gone before me".
That means relationship gives you the opportunity of flying, especially through the experiences of people that have gone ahead of you. Why crowl, when you can fly!
There are two levels of relationship, with God and with man. However, we shall be dwelling here on the latter - relationship with men. Everything you need is in the hand of someone (though God is the original owner and giver of all things). The healing Peter's wife's mother needed was in the anointing Jesus carried, and because Peter had a relationship with Jesus, his wife's mother enjoyed that anointing. The freedom Joseph needed was in the hands of Pheroah; but the interpretation King Pheroah also needed of his dream was in the hands of Joseph. We all need one another. Don't forsake your friends, don't think you don't need them. In Proverbs 27:10, scripture says,
"Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not...".
Truly we all need each other. Mary Magdalene needed Jesus to deliver her from demons (Mark 16:9), Jesus also needed Mary's substance (Luke 8:1-3). A minister of the gospel need members to fulfill his ministerial assignment, and the members of the Church also need the pastor for spiritual strengthening and growth. We all need one another. Beauty begins at your recognition that as long as you need God, you will also need men. Some one said "No man is an Island".
In 2 Kings 4:9-10,16, The Shunamite woman opened door for a relationship with the man of God; and it was that relationship with the man of God that brought an end to her greatest problem, her bareness was terminated. Abraham and Sarah too had similar experience. The bible says "They entertained Angels unaware and by so doing they contacted a blessing that terminated their age long bareness. Relationships are channels through which prayers can be answered. Poor relationship management has led to the forfeiture of many peoples blessings. Many today don't even have value for the pastors that God put in-charge over them, but the Shunamite woman cared for the man of God and she was blessed. Beauty comes by good relationship, hence relationship management is fundamental to beauty.
In 1 Samuel 25, we see how a man called Nabal mismanaged relationship. He despised and messed up his relationship with David and the end result was not pleasant for him. He destroyed the opportunity of becoming family friend to the throne of David. He was foolish, he simply behaved according to his name (verse 25). When you despise relationship, you are foolish. Ruth on the other hand handled her relationship with her mother-in-law, Naomi well and she (Naomi) became pivotal to her greatness eventually. You need to have a good relationship with every one you come across. They sometimes may not reciprocate it, but do it continually for your own good.
How Do You Nurture Good Relationship?
1. Relate with people generously: Don't be hostile, listen to people and relate with them well. Your sense of security must not be allowed to paralyze your grace for hospitality. Some people relate with others as enemies, don't be hostile to people.
2. Relate with humility: In Psalm 149:4, scripture says,
"God will beautify the meek (humble)...".
Shun selfishness, consider others better than yourself. Make people first and yourself second, that was Abraham's principle. When it was time to choose a land for pasture, he gave Lot his nephew the opportunity of choosing first. When you make other people first, then God makes you first.
3. Relate with honesty: Don't be a hypocrite, the joy of a hypocrite is short. Don't flatter people, rather keep quiet instead of relating with deception.
4. Relate with reciprocity: Relationship is never one way, but reciprocal. Love is reciprocal; when some one shows you love in giving, you show it back. The greatness or price of a gift is not what matters, but the heart from which it is given. Relating reciprocally in love strengthens the cord of love.
5.Relate by going extra mile of inconvenience: To nuture relationship may not be convenient all the time. You may need to visit some at far distance places, you may need to sacrifice in one way or the other, like giving a surprise gift or even making excuses for people when your expectation of them is not met. Don't be another Nabal, messing your relationship with people. Don't say you don't need people, you need them; they are channels through which God will reach you.
6. Relate by being jovial with sincerity: With holy comments and jokes, relate with people. Don't be a moody Christian because you want to make heaven. Heaven is a place of joy. There are people who manage relationships very well and they rose by it. For instance, Joseph in a good relationship with others in prison, interpreted their dreams and by so doing, was brought into the palace. Also Rehab the harlot who related well with the spies Joshua sent to spy the city of Jericho, and by so doing, she delivered her entire house hold from wanton destruction that came upon the city of Jericho. Relationship is central to your beauty, relate well, not only in Church, but every where. If the relationship you want to maintain is only that of God, you are making a mistake. Even God himself says "Follow peace with all men..." Hebrew 12:14a. Don't be too busy with your work that you forget men; God is your source truly, but he uses men as channels to reach you.
Shalom.