Relationships only happen when we find value in other people.
Growing up I didn’t fully understand that truth. As a kid, I can recall spending evenings as a family at other people’s homes. Usually, we had to eat someone else’s strange cooking (in other words, not the way I was used to my mom making it), and then we would sit around for hours talking. Those nights seemed to drag on forever and, at the time, I couldn’t think of anything more boring.
We live in a culture that doesn't value the visit.
Today, our culture is filled with text messages, screen time, and quick encounters. Spending genuine time with other people isn't extinct, but it certainly isn't as common as it used to be. Lives seem to be busier, noisier, and more chaotic. Pausing to sit and talk with people isn't as valued . . . but it should be! Why? Because people matter.
We were created for connection.
Think about it. Most likely some of the best memories you have are when you spent quality time with someone or a group of people. Looking back on my life, my most cherished memories are camping with friends, traveling with people, and having in-depth conversations with someone.
This shouldn't surprise us, though, because God created us to be relational. God himself is a relational God. He values personal connection so much that he created us to be in a relationship with him and with each other. These relationships only happen when we find value in other people.
Each of us has been purposefully created by God. We all have our own unique gifts, abilities, and talents. We have different personalities. We each contribute to God’s bigger plan in our own way. He designed us each with intrinsic value.
We matter to God, therefore we should matter to each other.
We are better together!
God created us to encourage one another, to lift each other up, to rejoice with each other, and when necessary to mourn with one another. We can push each other to be better and hold each other accountable. We can share new ideas and gracefully debate differing opinions.
Most importantly, we can love one another. Every one of us longs to be loved unconditionally. We find this kind of unconditional love in the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ when he gave his life for us on the cross. In the same way, we are called to love each other with sacrificial love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another (John 13:34).
Are we living like people matter?
Think about the way you live this out in your life. Consider how you are teaching your children to value others. Think about how you are reflecting Christ’s love to the world around you. Does your life show evidence that people matter to you? Are you someone who seeks out quality time with people? Or, do you gravitate toward quick encounters? Do your kids know that you value them by the amount of time you spend with them? Do they see you valuing and caring for other people?
How we live our lives shows just how much we value others. In a world that is filled with distance, screens, shallow relationships, and artificial lists of “friends,” not to mention tension, strife, aggression, and anger, a reflection of Christ’s love is needed now more than ever before.
Pause to make time for a visit.
People matter. They matter to God, and they should matter to us. When is the last time you spent quality time visiting with someone? It may seem like a boring experience or an inconvenience at the time, but the impact of a visit can last a lifetime!
Read More:
