Building Lasting Relationships

So, today i was thinking since the morning where i am heading in life? I was getting all my paper work ready for school, was talking to academic advising for classes, and just trying to keep in touch with people i know have a place in my life. It is easy to go on facebook, twitter, and other social websites to meet people and socialize, but it loses the meaning of being human. God intended our lives to be hands-on, spoken by lips, seen by eyes relationships. I am not a fan of texting or even instant messaging, just loses the feel of what a person is trying to really try to have you understand.

Right now i am meeting a grip of new friends and people and i am not even at Biola yet. Its satisfying to feel this warmth, yet what good is it to please yourself. I mean i rather build upon a long lasting relationship, than build short ones and live life thinking i can survive off of quick encounters. That loses the purpose, it loses meaning, it misses the point that Christ intended our lives to be apart of. For surly once you encounter His Love it is never a quick fix.

Ask yourself and i surely did ask myself this after fellowship today at the grind, "What qualities are essential for building healthy lasting relationships? What areas do you feel you need to improve? Can we learn from Christ's example in washing the disciples' feet of how to build healthy relationships?"

First off the first thing that came to mind was Love. Not the Love that a person would some what feel, but the Love that is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. After my uncle's passing last year, i always look to this chapter for strength in so many ways. I mean i do not build relationships based off feelings and i use to. Thats being single minded. I base it off of decision. The decision that i might have to be kind. That i have to show consideration. That i have to not be proud, not be envious, not be angered, not be jealous, not be self seeking, to not keep records of wrongs. That i need to be truthful, that i need to show protection, that i need to say i want to build that trust and want to always persevere. That although you may not see me now ill be patient, for i will always keep you in mind. For its not a feeling, but a decision to accept those people in my life.

This is like Christ. He did not base his decision on the cross because of feelings. He did it because it was His decision. He knew that He would have to set the tone for the word Love. That it would be through patience, caring, consideration and everything i wrote above. From there that character of Christ, just builds into you. Christ did not text message the world saying He Loves us. He saw us, He felt us, He heard us, He knew that this decision was down to earth and real. That He was going deeper to build the greatest lasting relationship. That His decision was out of Love.

The second question question made me think. How much i was not being patient and not trusting. I honestly do not know how to fix that by myself. Then the third question reminded me that Christ defined the word Love in the action of being the one to clean His disciples feet. I mean He is the Son of God, but He mentions that there is a time to be served and a time to be a server. Take that to heart for even Christ was cleaning His servants feet.

I just ask Lord to clean my feet for i have walked a long road and many times i dont get to stop and realize that my feet are dirty. That i have picked up pieces off dirt i thought were gone. Truly there is a huge part of me that what You to clean my feet and just pick me up and guide me to where the next path is. I long to build long and strong relationships with the people i have decided to hold on to, yet guide me and teach me how to truly Love as how you did to me. Just got to say thanks everyone for tonight.