If we aren’t in rhythm with others, we can’t be in rhythm with God. Haven’t you ever wished that this were not true? Isn’t it sometimes easier to love God than to love people? God doesn’t cut us off in traffic--people do. It’s not always easy to get along with other people but our relationships with other people are a very important part of who we are. Do you have several relationships around you that are broken as a result of people treating each other poorly? Maybe its your fault, maybe it’s the other persons fault – but there is not doubt to you that the relationship has problems, its out of rhythm. Do you have tension and stress in your life that is caused by relationships with people and you just cant seem to understand why it bothers you so much? God is passionate about people, all people, and we are wired in such a way that we desperately need to be in relationships with other people. Loneliness is a feeling that we all would like to avoid. Loneliness is a result of our relationships with other people being out of rhythm and as a result of that our relationship with God is too. We know that the source of many of the problems we see, experience, or cause are the issues of power and selfishness. We put others down to make us look better and others do the same for us. This week we are called to struggle with how we can have rhythm in our relationships in the midst of a culture that encourages this kind of attitude. In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches us a radical response to relating to other people; he calls us to humble ourselves and do the hard work of forgiving and seeking forgiveness so that we can be in right relationships with other people. Wrestle with that this week, remember that rhythm with others is about treating people right, acting fairly toward others and forgiving them when they hurt us. This is a pretty straightforward principle, but it can be really difficult to carry out.
Take some time and think through these questions (if you want to find a friend to discuss them with, that would be even better!)
- What does it mean for you to be in rhythm with other people?
- Is it possible to love God and not love people?
- Read Matthew 5:23-24. What does this verse say about the connection between being in rhythm with God and being in rhythm with others?
- Our relationships with other people are a reflection of our relationship with God. Use adjectives to describe what your relationships say about your relationship with God.
- Have you ever been out of rhythm with someone close to you? What was the situation like? How did it affect you?
- Have you ever known someone who hurt you or someone close to you but outwardly acted like they were best friends with God? What is the danger in saying you are a Christian if you are unable or unwilling to care about the people around you?
- Inevitably, there will be times when you fall out of rhythm with those around you. What can you do to get back in rhythm when that happens?
Spend some time thinking about your relationships. Who are you not in rhythm with right now? Maybe something small has gotten between you and someone else, or maybe it’s something really huge. Take some time right now to sit and think about that person. Think of them the way God thinks of them; try to see them with His eyes.
When you feel ready, pray for them. Be honest. If you still find it difficult to forgive them, ask God for His help. If you know that you wronged them, ask God to forgive you and show you how to make things right. Then, go do it. Have that tough conversation. Write that note. Show that person that they matter to you.
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