It’s a common refrain when visiting poor communities to exclaim, ‘they don’t have much, but they are so happy.’ How have we in the Western world become so advanced and so wealthy and yet so unhappy? So many things that we pursue in life do nothing to contribute to our wellbeing or level of happiness.
One of the key areas that we ought to focus on is relationships. God made us for relationships – and positive and purposeful relationships are key to our flourishing and our happiness.
Over the next 6 weeks* at Church we’re going to be looking at relationships: friendships; family; romantic relationships; parenting, sexuality and gender; to uncover how God made us and how he wants us to live.
Some of you will be excited and interested to hear God’s wisdom on relationships, others of you might feel nervous or ashamed or guilty because of your experiences or perhaps the way Christians or the Church have dealt with you in the past. All of us have baggage we carry, and sins we’re ashamed of, but we all need to hear God’s guidance because God loves us and his way is best. My intention is to speak directly, carefully and sensitively from the Bible about this subject, and I pray that you will find it helpful, challenging and encouraging.
Yours in Christ,
Ben
*with a few interruptions in between.
