03 APRIL 2020
‘Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place?’
Amos 3:3
If we’re going to walk somewhere with a friend, it’s a good idea to make sure that we’re agreed on where we’re walking to. Otherwise it’s not going to work. The Bible says: ‘Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place?’ It’s the same in our relationships. If we’re looking for a lasting relationship (and especially if we’re considering getting married), we need to be on the same page as the other person. If we’re not walking the same way, the relationship will struggle and probably won’t last long. It’s natural for us to have differences in personality and have different ideas about how things should be done, but these should be things that we take the time to talk about and work through. We need to be aligned, even though we’re not the same. If we’re trying to get closer to God, and they’re walking the opposite way, we’re not walking together. If we’re prioritising work and they’re prioritising family life, we’ll become frustrated with each other. While it’s important to keep aspects of our individuality in our relationships, we need to be united in our main goals, values, and destinations. Even if we’re currently single, we can still use this principle in our relationships with others in the church. When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he said ‘Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel’ (Philippians 1:27 NIV). We need to stand as one with other Christians, united in the love and truth of God. What Now? Are you walking in the same direction as your partner or those in your church? If not, pray that God would help you be united and aligned in your thinking.