When one hears the word “relationship” the first thing to come to mind might be in regards to dating, a marriage, family, or a friendship. A simple Google search will define it as “the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.” The word developed back in the 1640’s according to Etymonline and is a “‘sense or state of being related,’ from relation + -ship. Specifically of romantic or sexual relationships by 1944.” The word “relation” according to Wiktionary comes from the Anglo-Norman word “relacioun”, the Old French “relacion”, and Latin “relātiō”.

Having defined that in detail, why are relations or relationships important? Humans need other human interaction on all levels, intimate and non-intimate. According to Psychology Today, humans have three basic needs when it comes to relationships:

  1. “Companionship / Belonging”
  2. “Affection (Verbal and Physical)”
  3. “Emotional Support / Validation”

Each person, deep down, can authenticate that need and want for human interaction. Everyone wants to feel like they belong and needs positive reinforcement and confirmation continually. When there is a balance and these “needs” are met, life is great with a good friend, a significant other, or a family member. When those “needs” are not met, things may tend to go sour or belly-up! Everyone has experienced good and bad relationships. There are, of course, many variables that factor into relationships, but overall they can be categorized into those three basic “needs”.

It is no surprise that when healthy and happy relationships are established they bare wonderful fruit. The University of Minnesota listed a few of their findings accompanied by research on “Why Personal Relationships are Important” shown in this article:

  • “…People with strong social relationships are 50% less likely to die prematurely.”
  • “…People who completed a stressful task experienced a faster recovery when they were reminded of people with whom they had strong relationships.”
  • “…Strong relationships contribute to health at any age.”
  • Make people feel rich. “…Doubling your group of friends has the same effect on your wellbeing as a 50% increase in income.”

The inverse of healthy and happy relationships can lead to depression, sickness, health and psychological disorders. It is pivotal to ensure that all relationships are harbored and kept in love.

Physical relationships on this Earth are clearly crucial, so what about a spiritual relationship with the Almighty Father? Genesis 1:26 states that man was created in their image, so is it any surprise that a relationship should be reciprocal? A clear correlation is derived from seeing how a physical and spiritual relationship is fundamental and begins not only with an individual but with that which has created man. Yeshua stated it best by summing up the commandments to two of the greatest ones in Matthew 22:36-40

    “Teacher, which commandment in The Written Law is the greatest?” Yeshua said to him, “You shall love THE LORD JEHOVAH your God from all your heart and from all your soul and from all your power and from all your mind.”* “This is the great and the first commandment.” “And the second which is like it is, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commands depend all The Written Law and The Prophets.”

In those scriptures, we see who, what, when, where, and why! Relationships are essential for everyone to become everything the Almighty Father created mankind for!

A relationship was desired by what created mankind, but too often is it not neglected? How many times do people state “I’m too busy to…” or “I’ll do______ tomorrow.” Everyone says that about everything, especially when it comes to their spiritual relationship. What does the Bible say about a relationship with the Almighty Father? Here are a few scriptures to jump start this journey:

James 4:4-10

    chooses to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. And perhaps you think the Scripture says in vain, “The spirit that dwells within us lusts with jealousy.” * But Our Lord gives us more grace; therefore, he said, “God humbles the proud and he gives grace to the humble.”
Submit therefore to God and stand against Satan, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Purify your hands, you sinners; sanctify your hearts, doubting souls. Be humble and make lamentation and let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to grief. Be humble before THE LORD JEHOVAH, and he will exalt you.

Romans 12:1-2

    I beg you therefore, my brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God by a logical service. And do not imitate this world, but be transformed by the renovation of your minds, and you shall distinguish what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 John 1:9

    But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and he will purge us from all our evil.

1 John 3:1

    And behold how much the love of The Father abounds to us, that he has called us and also has made us children; because of this, the world does not know us, because it does not know him.

Hebrews 11:6

    But without faith, no one can please God, for whoever is brought near to God must believe that he exists and that he is the rewarder of those who seek him.

John 14:6

    Yeshua said to him, “I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Way and The Truth and The Life; no man comes to my Father but by me alone.”

John 14:23

    Yeshua answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me keeps my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our lodging with him.”

John 15:5

    “I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Vine, and you are the branches; whoever abides with me and I in him, this one brings forth much fruit, because without me, you can do nothing.”

Revelation 3:20

    “Behold, I stand at the door and I shall knock. If a man listens to my voice and will open the door, I also shall come in and I shall have supper with him, and he with me.”

Proverbs 8:17

    “I love my friends, and those who seek me will find me.”

Jeremiah 29:11

    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.

Zephaniah 3:17

    Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing.

These verses all allude to the fact that it is a CHOICE and one has to IMPLEMENT and DO what it takes to form a healthy and righteous relationship.

Remember it takes time to build an Earthly human relationship, so it should take a lifetime to build and create a healthy and wonderful relationship with the Heavenly Father. A relationship is a two-way street and takes effort and there is no way of getting around that. No one can expect The Almighty Father to just bless someone if they do not even put forth the effort. Putting a relationship on hold can have devastating repercussions. The Bible does state that the Heavenly Father is a “jealous” God, so it is best to keep up on the relationship and also not “grieve” His Holy Spirit as stated in Ephesians 4:30. Each person should take the time to research, read, pray, meditate, and comprehend what it takes to have a personal relationship and apply it to each day because after all, it is HE that deserves the GLORY!

Weekly Challenge:

What does your spiritual relationship look like with the Heavenly Father? Do you push it off because you are too busy? Reflect and take the time to do the research that is necessary to start implementing a healthier and happier relationship full of the love the Almighty Father want’s from us. Don’t wait until tomorrow, do something about it today! What are you waiting for?!