Relationships...

A growing relationship.

I once heard a speaker talk about the relationship shifts we experience during our lifetimes. That lesson put many of my relationships into perspective. There was a time when I bemoaned the fact that many relationships I had were strong and then seemed to fade away and disappear. I only have a few relationships that have been there for the long haul. You build relationships at work through others, acquaintances, church friends, and those you spend time with doing shared interests outside of work and church. You have relationships with spouses, children, grandchildren, family members, supervisors, people who share interests, community members, and many other categories.

Sometimes, I find it hard to let go of relationships that have formed and then go separate ways. I have particularly struggled with this the last few years with people I have known for years and felt a connection with, only to have time and distance separate and move us in different directions. I have spent hours in prayer over this very issue. But God...

As I was thinking about this on the way to work, the Lord led me to Timothy and Paul. Timothy was special to Paul. Paul considered Timothy a confidant, a friend, an assistant, a mentee, and as we see in 1 Timothy 1:2, "To Timothy my true son in the faith:". Paul wrote letters to strengthen Timothy as he grew in the faith. He built a relationship with him as they served. Timothy went with Paul as a missionary to spread the Gospel of Jesus. You can see in the scripture that Paul truly treasured Timothy and their relationship. However, Timothy and Paul eventually went in different directions. Timothy pastored the Church at Ephesus, and Paul went on to preach in Macedonia.

In Proverbs 27:17, the verse "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" comes to my mind with the relationships we have. You see, each person we meet and each person with whom we form a relationship is used by God to teach us, help us grow, and strengthen us. Some of these relationships will last a lifetime, such as that of Paul and Timothy. Other relationships will be like Paul and Barnabas's where we disagree, go our separate ways, and continue our work. Paul and Barnabas disagreed on where they should go. One felt lead in one direction, and the other wanted to go another way. Acts 15:36-41. God will lead us in different directions, and we will later reconnect just as Paul and Barnabas did. Some relationships will end because the purpose for that relationship was fulfilled.

I have my husband, my Timothy. But I do have another Timothy, and she and I will spend time renewing our Spirit over the next few days. We do this each year, and I cherish and look forward to this time. I have formed new relationships that strengthen my faith. Some relationships bring out my laughter and are helping to ease the "serious" side. I treasure that newly forming relationship. Some past relationships will eventually reconnect as Paul and Barnabus. But I know that God is in control of every part of my life. He is building me. He is strengthening my service and sharpening iron through the people I have met, the friendships formed, and the relationships cultivated. What a wonderful thought! Enjoy this weekend as we praise God and renew our Spirit within.