The Complexity of Relationships

"Ring by Spring, or your money back!" A statement often joked about on the East Texas Baptist University campus. The statement is quite simple compared to the relationship that has to take place before a ring is even considered. Relationships are difficult and often complex. This applies to all relationships, not just the ones of fiancées, boyfriend/girlfriend and married couples. It applies to every relationship that you have.
Every day we influence the relationships that we have. We do this by the choices we make about who we talk to, spend time with and exert emotion towards. Relationships take time, effort, passion and faithfulness. Relationships take time to earn trust, effort to build and strengthen them, passion about touching other people’s lives and making a difference and faithfulness to stay consistent in all responses and actions. Yet, there is one thing that strings these four together and that is love. Relationships take love that forgives mistakes, sacrifices itself and shows through in every action and word.
Why go through all the trouble? Why are relationships worth all of the complexities that we go through in order to enjoy them? They are worth the trouble because we are created to be in relationships. In Genesis 2:18, God is looking at creation and he sees that every creature has a partner and a helper, except for man. He then states that this is not good, and creates a helper for the man. God and Adam were in the perfect relationship with each other. There was no sin and they walked daily with each other. Yet, God said it was not enough. Therefore, we see that man needs human companionship.
Relationships are important. Yet, ultimately each relationship should be between three people; your friend, yourself and God.

“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

-Ecclesiastes 4:12

In every relationship there is a need for someone stronger than you to be in ultimate control. Yet, if you place that control and trust in the hands of another human, things are going to get messed up. By placing that control and trust into the hands of God, you are depending on the one person that will not steer you wrong. One way of looking at is like a tricycle. You have probably heard of, and possibly been, someone complaining about being the third wheel in a group. Here is a challenge: start thinking of relationships as tricycles, where there is always a third wheel. Picture a tricycle, it has three wheels and the largest is in front leading the way. The two wheels in the back are of equal size, helping to keep balance. Now, relate that to relationships. The two wheels in the back are you and your friend. The wheel in front is God. Sounds simple, right? You see, if God is leading the way in every relationship you have, and your friends and you are balancing each other out, you create a tricycle that is stable and will not topple due to small bump in the road.

“We loved, because he first loved us.”

-1 John 4:19

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind..Love your neighbor as yourself.”

- Matthew 22:37 & 39

The complexity of relationships is actually quite simple. To have strong, healthy relationships we must first love God and then let his love flow through us, into the lives of those around us.