Today's Scripture Reading (February 10, 2026): 2 Chronicles 10
I met some
new friends recently, and a relationship has started. I don't start new
relationships easily. I hope this relationship and partnership will continue
for a long time. But I also know that often they don't. I have been
disappointed by relationships in the past, even very close ones. And at the
beginning of a relationship, it is often hard to see how that relationship
might end. And yet they do. If only we could see at the start of the
relationship what would kill it, maybe we would change that behavior. If only …
Actually, I
don't think it is really that hard. It is an attitude, and it will start with
me. Oh, I would like to say it will begin with the other person, but that is
not reality. The truth is that it has to start with me. I have to be the one to
assess and ask, "What am I getting out of this relationship?" At
least for me, that question isn't there at the beginning. At the beginning is
just a desire to serve – to make the other person better. But later, I began to
ask the 'me' questions. That is also the place where the relationship starts to
break down. It is there that I lose focus on how I can impact the other
person's life.
A genuine
relationship always requires an outward focus. As Rehoboam took over the reins
of power from his father, he had a chance to restore the country and serve it.
But he chose to ask the other question. As a result, the nation he was to lead
began a downhill slide.
It is hard,
but a fulfilled life truly begins with service. The question in all of our
relationships needs to be "how can I serve this person in this place?"
If you will be a servant, you truly will have people gathered around you
willing to serve. It was that way in the world of Rehoboam, and nothing has
changed. It's up to us, but if we want to make the world a better place, we
need to choose service!
Rehoboam
could have made a difference. He didn't because he listened to the wrong advice
and followed a desire that asked, "What is it that you are doing for me?"
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 11
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