“...if anything matters then everything matters. Because you
are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe
changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world
changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are
accomplished and nothing will be the same again.” ― Wm. Paul Young, The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity
If anything, I prefer being married and have always enjoyed
being married. Yes, there have been ups and downs, but the key is learning
communication skills. It seems we have been driving in a world with a shotgun
blast approach with no intent of a direction. Having a successful relationship of any kind
requires successful planning of the mind.
It appears there are some of us who do not have an ideal
plan of what to do in relationships with each other. Relationships whether it
is with our spouse, community or dating relationships; each is uniquely formed;
but how are they cultivated? We live in
a consumerism society and there are some who tend to throw relationships as if
they were the next bag of chips.
Miscommunication and technology seems to be the rippers to
the seams of threading relationships together. It is becoming a single society
and even in marriages there tends to be a thread of singleness of doing what
pleases oneself.
There are some husbands complain about their wives not
taking care of themselves. There are some wives complaining because there are
men who are looking at pornography and not pleasing them. There are singles that
blindly go into relationships because they feel a void or feel rejection and
they desire to fill the need to be wanted. There seems to be a single minded
concept even in relationships.
God has a unique plan in being single. I developed an acronym
for starting a single’s ministry, where I attend worship. The acronym I feel
can apply to anyone for we are all accountable for ourselves.
The acronym: Serving Independently
Navigating Godly
Living Everyday
If we choose to be single, or if we are in a marriage and
there tends to be a single approach, then let’s consider how to serve one
another. There appears to be a lack in getting involved by serving because we
fear rejection or being judged.
Successful communities can thrive when there is an invitation
as a single individual contributing to his or her ideas to the group.
Opposition is what grows new way of doing things. It appears the government and
media want to squelch independent thinking in order for everyone to conform to
one ideal, regardless if it is right or wrong.
If you are in a relationship, married or single, I want to
challenge you in looking at yourself as a single person. Michael Jackson uses
the phrase, “Man in the mirror” as a way we need to do reflection of our life in
order to make a change to live in a better place.
Sometimes SINGLE can have a negative connotation to it. If
one can reduce or fight off narcissistic, egotistical, mindset of serving self
and focus on the needs of others, then this world can be a better place. What
are you going to do to navigate your life in such away where someone in your
life can be served?
Okay, I get it. Sure you are asking me the question: What if
I get hurt? While working with the
Criminal Investigations Unit they taught when you are driving a car and you
anticipate having a crash, do not tense up. Why do you think drunk drivers do
not get hurt in a wreck? They are in a relaxed state.
Our emotions, thoughts, feelings can be trained to be in a
relaxed state and go into a relationship knowing there can be hurt involved
because there are expectations of each other that may or may not be met. The vulnerability
we feel is determined on the trust level. Jesus, said to be wise as serpents and
innocent as doves. The information we provide to others is like money. Be
careful where you spend it. Invest wisely in those whom your investment can be
enriched.
I want to challenge and encourage you in your relationship
to serve with the intent of navigating with a heart of godly living. You say, I
don’t believe in god. Then serve mankind in a way you want to be treated in a
way you feel the investment will affect those around you. Feeding the homeless or volunteering at a
shelter or mentoring a teenager who doesn’t have effective parenting.
Let’s make a difference by investing into serving one
another and be surprised how better you feel. There is risk and like anything
there is always a risk. Therefore, develop a plan of intent and deliver with a
one bullet approach in making an impact in someone’s life.
Every day we need to put our life on His Anvil by Forging Attitude In Trusting Him (faith),
By faith,
