A two-week absence from this site deserves some explanation. That can be summed up in one word: relationships. The need to sustain relationships and through actions reveal their importance has taken me away from this keyboard for two weeks. You could suggest procrastination was also a part. You could also suggest that neglecting to see the time that was available was also a part of the problem. The bottom line was, however, I refused to allow writing of almost any kind to distract me from the time spent in maintaining family and friend relationships.
I feel I have a very good precedent set for me to feel this way. God acts this way. He has revealed himself as One who believes that relationships are more important than almost anything else, perhaps second only to being true to his nature of holiness. God has revealed himself most clearly in the way he has dealt with relationships, created relationships, and emphasized relationships in his created order.
In the first chapter of Genesis he says, "Let us make man in our image." The plural pronoun points to an existing relationship. He said later, "It is not good for man to be alone." He intended for man to be in relationship not only with his Creator but also with one with whom he could most personally identify. He told his creation to be fruitful and multiply and for them to honor their fathers and mothers specifically commanding that there be relationhips developed between generations.
God wanted to restore his original plan for a relationship with man after the Fall. Because man was incapable of taking the initiative and bringing about reconciliation, God had to do it all. The Incarnation, the Christ Event, made the restoration and the renewed relationship possible.
In the Church we see the relationships of the Kingdom of heaven being lived out, or at least we hope so. These relationships are not limited to those sitting in the same pews, but they exist between people groups and across the centuries. We are in relationship through the Holy Spirit with fellow Christians throughout the ages and across the continents. God has a real thing for relationships.
As a result of God's plan, there cannot be Lone Ranger Christians. There cannot be island Christians. There cannot be Christians who stand immune to the cries and needs of the world.
I recently returned home from nine days involving 2000 miles of travel to maintain and strengthen relationships. My wife and I were tired and the car broke down 36 hours after we got home. To keep these relationships, I would do it all again. Relationships are that importnat. God thinks so. I think so. The Church needs to think so.
