Relationships

Proverbs 18:²⁴ “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (NKJV)

In other words, if you want friends, you have to take the initiative. If you want relationships, you have to take initiative. You have to be on the front foot for that relationship to happen. You have to ask for that launch date or ask to help babysit while that person goes on a date with their spouse. You need to take initiative. And at every point in time, God wants us to take initiative to keep having friends and keep building our relationship. However, growing up what my mom used to say to us is show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. Or she would say, show me your friend and I will show you who you will become.

That statement hunted us, me particularly because as a teenager, you just like some friends. They are not necessarily the best of friends but you just like them, and they are your friends. But your parents can see that this person is no good, is not a friend. If you are a teenager reading this now, you must have heard that statement particularly if you have Nigerian parents. I struggled with that statement, why are you so judgmental? But if we live long enough, we will realize that those ‘friends’ were actually trouble. ‘You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with’, this statement is credited to Jim Rohn. However, I say that you are the average of the three people you spend the most time with. Check every area of your life, you are the average of the three people you spend the most time with.

Spiritually, for example, you are the average of the three people you spend the most time with. So, you have to be deliberate in your relationships. Cast your nets wide because you never know but be deliberate in your relationships. In 2 Kings 4:1-7 (please read), we see five types of relationships that we should have. Five types of relationships that you should have. Some you need to seek them out, and some will seek you out. However, you need these five types of relationships in your life to be limitless and to truly become all that God has called you to be.

What are these five relationships? You need to have a Conspirator, Constituent, Comrade, Confidant, and Commander. And we see all five in 2 Kings 4:^1-4 “…My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” … Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of oil,” …And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbours.  Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you…”.

Prayer: Father, help me know the people I am in a relationship with, in Jesus Name. Amen!