I BELIEVE THIS IS GREATER
Several days ago, this study result appeared in a news article—The 85-year Harvard Study of Adult Development confirms that the quality of your relationships is the single greatest predictor of lifelong health, happiness, and longevity.
As a devout Christian, a Pastor, and deeply engaged in a faith community for decades I can certainly attest to the blessing of rich, godly relationships, and the joy of Christian fellowship and friendship. I can also attest to the tremendous blessing of a quality marital relationship and the marvelous impact my relationship with Kathy has had on my life. There is no doubt there is great blessing and benefit to quality relationships.
However, I deeply believe that these kinds of studies miss something far more vital. None of them ever touch on the most important relationship—the quality of your friendship with God. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt the single greatest predictor of health, happiness, stability, and longevity is found in a deep, intimate, devoted relationship with God. I am not talking about going to church or faithful church attendance. No, I am talking about your daily friendship, communication with, dependence on, and emotional connection to the Living God.
Fellowship with people and lasting friendships are wonderful. I thank God for the faithful, supportive friends I still have in my life. They’re a wonderful blessing. But, I can also say from vast experience that friends you’d never imagine would let you down or hurt you, will, in ways that you won’t believe. There is no crueler species in the world, than human beings.
God, on the other hand, will never, ever fail you, forsake you, turn you out, abandon you, or betray you. The depth of your relationship with God will bring you the greatest emotional, mental, and psychological strength, vitality, and satisfaction. Your relationship with God will be the greatest buffer in life against the impact of adversity, pain, heartache, and stress. This is what David reveals to us in Psalm after Psalm.
But—only if you cultivate this relationship with God. You must pay attention to it. Invest time daily with God. Talk to God, listen to God, and in your heart treasure closeness with Him, putting your trust and reliance entirely in Him.
So many Christians mistakenly believe going to church is the same as a relationship with God. It is not, any more than me hanging out with my wife and friends on a boat is the quality of my marriage at home where no one sees. How my wife and I interact at home, day after day, week after week, how we treat each other, depend on each other, minister to one another, invest in each other, speak and listen to one another, that will be the true quality of my marriage friendship with my wife.
I want you to ponder this profound passage of Scripture found in Luke 12:
Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.” And he gave this illustration: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact his barns were filled to overflowing. So he said, I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store everything. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink and be merry!” But God said to him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?” “Yes a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
What a powerful truth Jesus reveals to us—Real life is not measured by how much we own. Real life is measured by how rich our relationship with God actually is!
So let me ask you to reflect on these questions:
How much time do you actually invest every day in your relationship with God?
How much actual time do you spend every day talking to God? Don’t say, “I talk to God all day.” That’s like saying, “I exercise all day,” when in reality you seldom have a specific time to exercise in your week.
Would you describe your present relationship with God at this moment as rich?
Do you honestly look forward to getting up in the morning to spend time with God? As much as you look forward to social gatherings with your friends? As much as you look forward to that vacation you planned?
I urge you today, make your relationship with God your number one priority, above all others.
This message will be a tremendous help to you in your Christian journey:
https://strongdisciple.com/
Helping you become a Strong Disciple,
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mark Darling
