Level Up in Relationships

The one. You know who it is. That one who changed your life and brought you to a new reality full of meaning. If you’re thinking of a person, I hate to inform you that you are putting way too much pressure on your “one.” 

The truth is, God is the One. He is the only one who can bring us true joy and meaning. He is the creator of  our purpose. And in creating us with purpose, He also gave us one another. 

Remember when you were little and played pretend. Sometimes it would be some fantastic adventure. Little girls love to play wedding. They love pretending to be mommies with their little dolls. And little boys love pretending to do whatever they see grown up men doing. For my boys, it’s always been hunting and fishing. Just like children mimic what they see in life, God gave us relationships so that we can understand how to be in relationship with Him.

Think about it. In the Bible, the church is referred to as the bride of Christ. Husbands are charged with loving their wives as Christ loves the church. Wives are to submit to their husbands as we submit to God. A marriage is a sacred relationship that reveals the unity that God desires with us.

“…a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” (Genesis‬ ‭2:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Now consider parenting. I never fully understood the depth of God’s love for me until I became a mother. Here was this tiny human that needed me, and there was nothing I wouldn’t do for his best. What a testament to the love that our Heavenly Father gives us. We need Him. I certainly do. And He is right there for us, doing what is best for us.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” ‭‭(1 John‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Finally, God desires our friendship. There are people in this world that are just connected to our spirit. Our go-to when you need a babysitter, a coffee, or a hug and a good cry. Even better, sometimes we are blessed to have siblings that we experience this friendship with. As we engage in friendship, so should we engage with our best friend.

“I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” (John‬ ‭15:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Every relationship in our life points us back to the One. We can have unity and experience deep love and friendship with our Creator. He wants to be our One. And in providing for what we need on a relational level, we see and mimic how to be in relationship with Him.

So how do we take our relationships to the next level? We have a deep and meaningful relationship with the One. We go to our Best Friend when we don’t know what to do about our kids or feel disconnected from our spouse. We lay our heads on His shoulder and have a good cry. I don’t know if God enjoys coffee, but we can enjoy it in His presence. We make time to be with our One, because we want unity with Him, and this brings every other relationship in our life together. 

Prayer for Relationships:

God, you’re the One. Today I come as your bride, your child, your friend. Teach me how to love others the way you do. Give me your heart for the lost who don’t know you as the wonderful Father and Friend that you are to me. Thank you for the relationships in my life that give me a glimpse of how my relationship with you should be. Help me to not take those in my life for granted, and give me grace when I fail. In Jesus’ name, amen.

© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved.