Relationships
The way we relate to other humans varies greatly. Dynamics such as trustworthiness, generosity, maturity and selfishness can be very strong influences that we resist or are drawn to.
People who live in Namibia are likely to be pretty distant from us relationally. Most of us don’t even know where that nation is, or who its citizens might remind us of.
Enmity is a state of war, whether declared or not, whether pursued in actual battles or not. We usually know these people to some degree. We can recognize them from a distance.
Tolerance is a bit closer relationship than that. We may be stuck in a position in which we have people who are annoying or distracting or who steal our time or stuff or other valuables. The relationship accomplishes something, like maybe giving us access to something or someone else.
Fellowship is the front door of friendship. We spend time together because we want to. There is mutual benefit that we don’t mind supplying our share of to others.
Partnership is the front door of commitment. We have made promises of some sort, and some resources are shared. The resources may be money, time, prayer, service, and include social or business applications, including marriage.
Co-creation is a productive level of partnership. We each have differing gifts, and we are using them together to lift each member to greater capabilities or opportunities or revelation. We are producing children and grandchildren in a marriage partnership. Culture is created in a partnership that is highly committed and that consists of multiple skills, strengths and resources.
The more we move from the beginning of that list to the end of it, the more the relationship costs. Happily, the more it offers benefits. It is healthy to examine our progress toward the productive levels. Unlike Lucy in the Peanuts cartoons, we are not just here to “dress the set.” We are on site on purpose. We have been given resources. There will be a test. Be blessed to pass it with glory!
Now the one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s co-workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. According to God’s grace that was given to me, as a skilled master builder I have laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid—that is, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.
(1 Corinthians 3:8-15 HCSB ©®)