Important Relationships
In the cold, cruel world of artificial intelligence, most of us have secured our most intimate relationship with an electronic device. After all, we are not required to be emotionally connected to our hand-held friend. If we want to know something about our beloved grandma, Mildred, we google her name or shoot her a text that she will never be able to find. Better yet, we can always set her up with a Facebook page that she will never look at. Oh well, we tried, no worries we will see her next Christmas. This example may be a bit over the top but can easily be identified with today's electric lifestyle. For all the advantages technology provides, the one thing it does best is destroy our most important relationships. Psychology Today states “Kids are using their cell phones way too much and putting their mental health at terrible risk. National surveys are showing that kids today are more anxious than ever before, with spiking rates of depression and suicide.” We were created to love and be loved, it is part of our DNA. A little time spent with grandma Mildred, aunt Dolly or uncle Bill can solve a lot of despair. Love is the antidote for hopelessness! “We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works.” (Heb.10:4)
Many years ago, lived a young man who was much like the young people of today. He was easily deceived by contemporary lifestyles, so one day he decided to leave home and try his hand at the fashionable life of a distant city. The young man like so many young people today wanted fame and success without direction. He asked his father to give him his inheritance now since he was leaving and may never come back. His father loved him so much that he agreed and let him go. “ I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die!’ his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there wasted all his money on parties and prostitutes.” Because the foolish boy had no direction he wasted his money and ended up on a pig farm eating with the pigs. “He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the swine looked good to him, and no one gave him anything.” The young son finally came to his senses and returned home where he was loved. “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming, and was filled with loving pity and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” The young man was once again restored to his most important relationships. (Luke 15:11-32)
The story of the prodigal son has many lessons, but few more poignant than the love of a father for his son. It demonstrates the love God has for His creation. Vital relationships start with the love of God. We are born with it, but too many times ignore God’s love until it goes dormant. For many of us, it’s time to put the phone down, turn off the TV and give each other an honest hug. It’s time to restore our most important personal relationships. For more about the value of love and relationship read “Beam me up Commander” it’s free.
