There’s an article on the British Counseling Directory website that begins by saying, “Relationships are enormously difficult. It’s a miracle that so many of them work.”[1] Many of us would agree!

God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. It wasn’t just an ideal place. Adam and Eve had an ideal relationship with God and each other. Relational harmony was as natural and as beautiful as it could possibly be. When sin entered the picture, their perfect harmony was disrupted. The music of their lives was no longer exclusively filled with the beauty of companionship, peace, care, and love. Their relationship with God and each other was disrupted. The relational music of their lives was now filled with dissonance.

Harmony Takes Work

Most of us have attended grade school band concerts. Many of us attended because our children are in the band. The first band concert of the year is often painfully awkward. Occasionally the whole band is in sync with each other. More often than not squeaks and squeals burst out of the band’s performance like unruly hair full of static. Persistence, practice, and years of playing together will someday produce beautiful music. Until then, parents and audiences suffer through the awkwardness with understanding. Band directors suffer also. They persevere because they know that someday these amateurs will make beautiful music.

When the beautiful harmony of the garden was destroyed, God didn’t abandon his creation. He did not condemn Adam and Even to eternal relational dissonance. The consequences were huge, however, God like the persistent band director invited them to pursue harmony. Sure, things would be difficult. That’s what sin does. It makes everything more difficult than it should be.

Following the Director’s Cues

Relational Harmony is God’s desire! It starts with trusting Him, letting Him lead, and letting Him point the way. Our vertical relationship with God is the foundation for all of our relationships. He not only invites us into a relationship with Him, he becomes the director of all of our relationships.

Psalm 71:23

²³ My lips will shout for joy

when I sing praise to you—

I whom you have delivered.

Philippians 4:8

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Questions:

1. What are your dreams and desires for the relationships in your life? How ambitious are your dreams?
2. How is God directing you as you relate to Him and to others?
3. What can you do today to close the relational gaps in life? With God? Others?

Prayer Prompt

• Pray for your 4-5 closest relationships
• Invite God to lead and direct your life
• Thank God for his love and leading

[1] “The Complexity Of Relationships – Google Search.” Google.com. N. p., 2018. Web. 9 Sept. 2018.