What Do Your Relationships Say About You?

I used to think that success was dependent upon what you knew. True, knowledge is power, but it’s not enough. It’s not what you know. It’s who you know, because relationships are a critical part of become who you want to be.

The world understands this, but uses relationships in the worst kind of ways. It’s probably why the younger me avoided the shallow cliques and exclusive clubs. And yet I longed to belong because my heart desire identity. I wanted to be identified with the important—the valuable.

Now older, having endured many years of the emotional tug-o-war, I’m finally starting to understand the power of relationships. I’m begin discovering the divine purpose of relational connectivity with God and man.

I started with the fundamental meaning of the word: relation, and built up from there. It’s a simple word with a simple meaning: it can be defined as an aspect or quality that connects two or more things or parts as being, belonging, or working together—or as being of the same kind.

For example, the relation between time and space. These two terms are distinct in their meaning and usage, but neither can exist without the other. One helps define the other.

Another way I like to explain relationship is describing the relational connection between quantums within a quanta. Described by quantum science, it is the quantifiable connection and qualitative nature between two or more quantum (or discrete) values identified by their observable interactions within a quanta.

Kind of nerdy, I know. No worries. It just means that when two things are connected, that connection can be seen and described at some level by an outside observer. Essentially, the observed interaction helps define the relational connection.

Yeshua understood this principle of relationship quite well when he said, “…Whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.” Or when he said that the world will know that we are His disciples by our expression of love for each other. ( John 13:35)

It is the quantifiable expression of love, with one another, that defines or our relational connection to each other. But more importantly, it establishes our relational connection to Him, which defines all of us, or the whole, as his!

Again, we see this principle affirmed when Yeshua explained that when two or three are gathered in Father’s name, He is present. The discrete individuals are identify by “gathered in His name”. That’s their relational connection. Then the “He is present” becomes the observable expression and identification of the whole, or the quanta.

“Relational” is a simple word, but its application is deeply significant to the whole. When you define the connection between two individuals, you ultimately define the whole. When you define the whole, you give identity to the individual.

This is a relationship principle is key to understanding our whole-being identity; it sits at the center of who we are and gives us definition. And at the same time, helps shape and give expression to the “quanta”, or communities we are part of.

In short, our relationships don’t exists as haphazard entanglements. And desiring healthy relationships aren’t just good ideas or enlightened concepts. Rather, they declare to all creation who we are—what we’re about.

This brings me to my final thought:

If our identity is tied to the relationships we hold and maintain, then those who we have relationships with have a direct and lasting impact upon what we will become. They will have great influence upon the expression of our character and nature.

Let me encourage you in this: as you search for knowledge and increase your understanding, make relationships your most valued asset in life. More than that, pursue the best and greatest treasure: your relational connection with the One. Because being associated to Him, is the most successful things you could ever do.

Until next time, continue to pursue the you He designed you to be.