06 May Depending on Others
We were all created for an individual purpose. We have a specific calling, and we can’t run from it no matter how hard we try. It’s the reason we live, and it’s always on our minds.
Jesus knows this, and He also knows what it takes to fulfill that purpose. One of those things is that we have to learn to depend on others. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus taught us how important our relationships with others are. He says, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
If we want our prayers to be answered and our dreams to come true, we don’t just need to relate to God well, but we also have to relate to other people well. Stewarding our relationships with those in our world is one of the greatest, most effective things we can do to pursue our purpose. I mean, just think about it. There are a lot of things we can’t do on our own. We can’t get married on our own, can we? We can’t have a child on our own, can we? It takes people to birth God’s plans in our lives.
The perfect example of this comes in the story of Ruth. This young woman came from an ungodly upbringing, but she married a godly man. She grew to love God. Sadly, she experienced terrible heartache when her young husband passed away. As she grieved, she stayed with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Following her time of grieving, Naomi told her, “Ruth, you need to go back to your own people. You need to find someone else to marry.”
But Ruth knew the ungodliness she had come from, and she didn’t want any part of it. She knew her purpose depended upon her connections. So she said, “Don’t urge me to leave. Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Because Ruth honored God and His instruction, Ruth ended up marrying Boaz, a godly, generous man, and fulfilling her purpose. Get this- she even ended up in the lineage of Jesus!
Friends, our relationships truly matter. So let’s put people ahead of position, power, and privilege. Let’s serve each other instead of living selfishly, and watch as God brings success into our lives. Find the people God has called you to—those who both encourage you and challenge you. Find people who help you to obey everything God has called you to do. Then, pursue those relationships with diligence. Nurture them. Depend on them. When we work together, incredible things happen. We truly are better together!