Tonight I was asked a question. I knew my position and how I felt, but I could not articulate it to convey my exact message. The question was to the affect of: What toxic environments exist that bring you down and create distractions in your pursuit of the Word and your relationship with God?
One of my core values is family. It's at the core of everything I do. Family is my value term for relationships. In my life there are three key types of relationships. First, my relationship with God. Second, my relationship with myself. Finally, my relationships with others.
One reason I chose the word "family" over others to define what is foundational in my life is because of relationships with others. I prefer to operate with the belief that others deserve unconditional love and support. Others may choices contrary to how I would. They may have different values or goals than me. They may walk a different path. But, still, others should and will receive unconditional care. Even when others frustrate me, make me angry or upset me because of their actions or words, a love still exists. As I stumble and struggle with a relationship with others, I must pray, forgive and move foward in the relationship. Anyone I love is part of my family. My family changes as I change. As I move through life, my family grows. Love has no capacity and neither does our family.
As for the three relationships, it starts with the 'self' relationship. I stand by the belief that you must first be able to find happiness and contentment within yourself. You need to love yourself unconditionally before you can build solid relationships with others filled with unconditional love and support. For me, a key to that relationship with myself is a foundation in faith and my first relationship -- the one with God.
My "family" relationships with others are based on faith. God forgave our sins. He continues to love us unconditionally regardless of our actions and words. If we continue to open our hearts to him and accept Him, we will have a relationship. As I pursue a relationship with God, I falter. But, as I stumble I still try to be follow in the path of Christ. Part of following the path is a foundation in relationships. You "pour on the love" and share God's Word through relationships. Within my conviction is the understanding that you cannot demonstrate Christian qualities, such as unconditional love and support, or share the Word without interaction (and relationships) with others.
The relationship with God himself, is foundational in my "family." It's a personal relationship requires I let Him into my heart. It is ever-growing and changing as I live a worldly life filled with distractions. It's also a relationship that should be shared with others. I can serve my Lord and Saviour by pouring into others however He chooses to use me. I also accept life as part of His family as a Christian.
As I pursue my worldly passion day-to-day, I constantly encounter distractions. As others who are my superior or peers act in a way that does not focus on relationships and ask that I do the same, I am faced with a constant struggle. If I do not honor the importance of pouring into others, I am denying how I'm called to serve and my faith. If I focus on 'pushing paper' and simply pleasing others, I would also be making a conscious effort to let these distractions bring me down and push me further away from the family I want to be a part of. It's through "family," including the relationships I have with others, I can continue to remain strong in my faith and be reminded of His word. And, through prayer I can continue to seek guidance in how to best serve Him.
I acknowledge and realize that it is often times the words and actions conveyed through relationships with others that create distractions and feed into a toxic environment. However, without relationships the "family" does not exist. I continue to pray that we will be surrounded with relationships that build us up and bring us closer to God and limit the distractions present. It's through Him we will overcome distractions that enter our path and be a strong member of His family.
As I go forward, I pray that we are blessed as we pursue a life filled with unconditional love and support of others. And, that our hearts remain open so we can best serve others who are a part of His family, seek to a part of His family or that He seeks to be welcomed to his family. I pray that we continue to walk in faith as distractions try to interrupt our journey and pursuit of God. Amen.
