- You are guaranteed adventure. Anytime you walk alongside someone in life you are guaranteed MORE. More conversation, more conflict, more growth opportunities, more experiences. Walking alone is boring. You could stay in your personal bubble. But getting involved in the life of another allows God to not only use you to impact that person’s life but He uses that person to grow you in ways that couldn’t be accomplished when you keep to yourself. Also a ministry that’s focused more on programs than relationships doesn’t usually offer the same powerful testimonies and life-change. Jesus taught us this in his day to day ministry on the earth.
- There are moments that are bumpy. If you commit to getting to know someone and they get to know you, in a real and deep way, it will not always be easy. The conversations you have together will not always be comfortable. Like a wooden coaster, it might even get a little bumpy as you become transparent. Most likely, something painful from someone’s past will get dug up because it hasn’t been dealt with. But if you don’t jump off in the middle of the tracks, the ride will lead somewhere. It won’t be a pointless journey. God has a plan.
- There are moments that defy gravity. When you disciple someone, you get the chance to watch transformation happen in their life. If Christ is in the midst of your relationship, you will always see demonstrations of His power. Because His word tells us, when we gather in His name He is in our midst. Those God-moments are like the loopty-loop on a roller coaster. You may have been trucking along in a relationship – just being consistent – and then suddenly God flips things upside down and gives new perspective. You get to witness eyes being opened and hearts being changed. God’s miracles at work!
- You can’t get off in the middle. Relational ministry is in it for the long haul. Of course, the characteristics of each relationship are unique and God’s will for each person is different. So there’s no formula or strict timeline. But to be most effective in discipling and caring for someone, you can’t be afraid to “strap yourself in.” Again, this looks different with each relationship. But I think the call for commitment and intentionality is clear. This is seen in membership to a church body, in the marriage relationship, and in covenants used for sports teams, special groups, and more. Being willing to walk alongside someone through many seasons of life usually leads to greater impact.
- It’s best to go into it lifting your arms up and enjoying the journey. God loves relationship. He is incomprehensible and grand but His nature is undeniably relational. Everything He’s done since the beginning of time, to create and redeem mankind, has been in the context of relationship. Therefore, we can’t avoid relationships. The best way to pursue the relationships God has asked us to build is by doing so with joy and surrender to God! God wants us to throw our heads back once in awhile and yell “Woooohooo!” because living a life of love and partnering with Him to bring others into His kingdom is an adventure!
