4 minute read
Relationships
from July 2020
Gò0dNews for Relationships
Relationships
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by Phil Wade
Relationships are the thing we most desire. Yet we so often are joining hands and building community than any other time in the life find ourselves running from them. Why? From the world’s of our ministry. Sounds kind of like how Jesus describes the church, does perspective: to need somebody else is a sign of weakness. For a not it? man to ask another man for help is emasculation in the worst sense of • Is it hard, taxing, exhausting work? Without a doubt. the word. Also, there is the trust we lose when we have placed our trust • Does it take a lot of time? Absolutely. in people, only to have these people go and share everything we have • Is that what God has called us to? You betcha. asked them to hold with great confidentiality. Sometimes it seems that • Does it bring about joy unspeakable? Certainly. life would be much easier if we just left out the relationship component. • Does it bring God glory? Heavens, yes! However, we know that what is easy is not always what is best. The relationships we have built are far more valuable to us than
We were created for relationships. Primarily, we were made for anything we could bring to them. These are relationships that will not just a relationship with Jesus. Then we were made to be in relationships last for a lifetime but for an eternity. I long for these relationships. I need with others. Whether a child, a high school student, college student, these relationships. We all are richer as a result of these relationships. single, married, middle-aged, or seasoned adult, we were all created for relationships.
Once I discovered my motivational gifts and began putting them to work in everyday life in serving others, I began experiencing the power of investing in others. One of the most valuable things I have learned in life is that investing in others brings far greater joy than self-indulgence. Investing in others brings far more opportunities for relationships with others than does spending all your time focused on yourself.
The Reward of Investment
Several years ago, God opened the door of opportunity for Keli and me to serve as character coaches for the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. This opportunity overwhelmed me with excitement as I draw energy from being with like-minded people. Not that I knew much about basketball, but I loved sports, competition, and being with people. I was aware this opportunity to build relationships would cost us a great deal of time and energy. However, it would be a great investment for us personally and for the Kingdom. Never in a million years would we have imagined what God was preparing to do in and through our investment at the collegiate level.
One thing I discovered was that relationships are built via the ministry of presence. In order to build and grow relationships, time must be spent with the people you wish to reach. Time spent while serving builds trust that creates and strengthens relationships.
Prior to this opportunity to serve Berry athletics, we at Northside were reaching few college students, at best. Since this opportunity began, we have seen Bible studies launch with coaches, students, trainers, and student athletes. We have seen atheist come to faith in Christ; people who have been in church all their lives surrendering to God; students serving in ministry and internships; not to mention people from all denominations: (1) becoming unified in the essentials—things of top priority; (2) finding freedom from the nonessentials—things of lesser priority; and (3) showing unconditional love in all things. We have baptized students. We have students leading other students to Christ. We are seeing more people who
Time
If you are like most people whom I talk to about going all in with relationship-building, then right about now you are asking yourself, “When in the world will I have time?” Great question! God has given every person the same amount of time: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. God also gave each person the power to choose how they would use this time.
My “life word” is intentional. My life verse is Matthew 6:33: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” My motivational gift is the gift of exhortation, teaching and leading. It is this life verse, life word, and my purpose statement which is, “To develop godly leaders, encouraging them to live life beyond themselves,” that set my daily agenda. I believe with every fiber of my being that when we identify how God created us and surrender to the purpose for which He wants to use us, we then become passionate about living out our purpose. Time is no longer as big an issue as I found it once to be. Do not get me wrong. My calendar is always full, and I often struggle to get it all in. However, the difference is my calendar is packed with building relationships while operating in my gifts.
About The Author
Pastor Phil Wade and his wife Keli have two children and five grandchildren. His passion in returning to Rome is to give back to Rome the investment they made in him as he served as lead Pastor of Northside Church since 2012.
