Yes, It’s Personal
Relationships are kind of weird sometimes. And part of this is because the concept of time is weird. I had a conversation with two former college friends/roommates earlier this week. We were great friends back during our young adult lives but once we left our alma mater, we went our separate ways into our separate lives, states away from one another. There was never a “falling out” or anything. We just went on with our lives and an occasional Christmas greeting was sufficient to maintain a bit of contact. Years later, Facebook provided a way to connect a little more and eventually a group message began, which evolved into this planned three-way video call. We had not actually spoken to one another in 35 to 40 years! What a lovely time it was, catching up a bit and reminiscing about our college days. It prompted me to dig out the old college yearbooks and I managed to while away a bit of time chuckling to myself about the clothing and hairstyle trends as vivid memories rushed through my brain.
It seems that people come and go in our lives and, at least for me, that many friendships have been just for a season. But in several cases, if there is opportunity to reunite, it’s as though time stood still and we can pick up where we left off. It’s really a wonderful thing. I have had a number of relationships over the years that are like this. For me, many friendships have been prompted by mere proximity–neighborhood, work, church, school. When circumstances change and the proximity no longer makes the friendship easy, maintaining that close contact becomes difficult. It’s not that the friendships weren’t valuable at the time, but in new settings other people may come along who fulfill that role. Admittedly, I’ve often felt envious of those people who still have their best friends from college, high school or even elementary school and they speak or get together often. Wow! That would be awesome.
So how do we define a truly close personal relationship that is consistent? What makes a solid friendship last even when circumstances change the ease of the connection? I’m sure we can agree that it requires frequent communication, vulnerability and honesty, sharing life in good times and bad. Friends, I believe this is what our God desires with us. Through the sacrifice of His Son and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can come close to God and have a personal relationship.
Recently, my neighborhood Bible study group read in John 6 about the difficult teaching Jesus gave regarding being the bread of life. It was confusing for many of the hearers at the time–so much so that we read in verse 66 that “from this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Even some disciples–people who were following Jesus to learn more–rejected Him. But then in verses 67-69, Jesus asks the twelve closest to Him if they also will leave. Peter speaks for them all when he says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” My Bible study friends and I agreed that those disciples that walked away were obviously not as close to Jesus as the twelve were. They hadn’t experienced as much with him, didn’t share in the ups and downs, hadn’t surrendered their all and known the wonder and joy of abiding with Jesus. I wonder which group we would be in?
Although Jesus is no longer here with us physically, he is still accessible to us and he desires a relationship that is personal. Just going to church or an occasional Bible study or saying you believe does not afford the life-giving and life-changing intimacy that is available to those who will accept the invitation to become a child of God. Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth as a baby, died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sin, rose again to defeat death, is now at the right hand of God, and will someday return. It is possible that all that will be required for entrance into heaven is simply to believe this. But if all we do is believe and we do nothing to grow in that relationship, we are completely missing the point. It’s the difference between having a casual acquaintance-type of relationship with someone and having a close personal relationship.
You’ve perhaps heard the silly theory that everyone can be connected to Kevin Bacon within six degrees of separation? Well, sure. Does that mean I have a relationship with him? I mean, I saw him perform at the state fair. Haha. I don’t think this works with Jesus either. You may be in close proximity with others who are in close personal relationships with Jesus, but how about you? Degrees of separation will not grant you personal redemption. Oh, friends, I beg of you to not get too bogged down with this earthly life to consider your eternity. And for those of us who are solid believers, how would we rate our relationships with Jesus? If it is not the life-giving source of joy, strength and power we desire, perhaps it is time for connection. Jesus desires to have a relationship with each of us. And it’s personal!
Side note about the yearbook pictures: Although some of the styles are very outdated, I’m old enough that a number of them are back in style. That’s cool. Shoulda saved all those clothes…
