Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. (Mark 6:31 MSG)
As I grow older, I have become highly selective in my investments of time and energy. As a result, I often feel confused about how to handle casual relationships. With intimate friends, we can all be real with each other. There is no pretense, comparison, or guardedness. However, what if you feel the nudge to befriend someone whom you sense will be a temporary acquaintance, a passerby in this journey of life?
“Look at Jesus. He was able to minister to thousands, but He intimately invested in only twelve. Yet through those twelve friendships, He changed the world. That’s why we need to look at our relationships and not our accomplishments as our true legacy.” (Run The Mile You’re In by Ryan Hall)
Like Jesus, we may be called to minister to many--but only a few relationships can be intimate. Our legacy is not our accomplishments nor our ministry--but we can change the world through our intimate friendships. Thus, recognizing the difference between ministry and relationship can mitigate some of the frustration that comes with serving others. If your life is a swirl of constant activity and caring for others, you might need to take regular breaks with intimate friends. It is in these true relationships that we are built up and replenished. Our impact on this world, our legacy, depends on it.
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