What Do You Bring to the Relationship Table?

Many times people say they know what they are looking for in a relationship, a spouse. Women and men say I want a person who makes a certain amount of money, has a certain job, looks a certain way, good credit, nice car, and educated. Someone who can help me accomplish my goals in life. There is nothing wrong with wanting certain characteristics in a mate. And there is nothing wrong with wanting someone who can help you accomplish your goals in life. Most of these however, are outward things. And if that is who you are, then you need to recognize that is who you are. Are you bringing the same or equal qualities to the relationship, to the table? You meet a person, and they have the job, money, education, credit and the looks you want. Well let’s say they have most of the qualities you are looking for; and you get married. Then life happens, and maybe someone gains weight, loses hair, job/career changed, credit gets damaged, had to down size the car. Now the rubber is meeting the road. Is this relationship built on sand or on rocks? What is the foundation of the relationship? Many times in our relationship with God we seek things. We seek the money, career, nice car and nice house. But Jesus tells us in Matt 6:33 to seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all of the things will be added unto us. God told Solomon in 1Kings 3:11 that because he did not ask for riches for himself, but asked for an understanding heart to disce judgment; I’m going to give you that, but I’m also going to give you what you have not asked for, riches and honor and there shall not be any like you among the kings all of your days. In Hebrews 11:6 it says but without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. God clearly says if you want the riches, you have to want Him first. You have to seek Him first. In Ps 37:25 David said, I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. God has promised us if we diligently seek Him, who he is, what are his ways, that He will reward us. He wants us to know him intimately and God is not going to be used. I encourage you to seek Gods face and not just his hand. Would you want someone to choose a relationship with you just because of the outward things that you bring to the table. The things that can change the stuff (material things) they can have. If you did not maintain the stuff, would you still be in the relationship? If you gained weight, lost your hair and did not make as much money, would you want your relationship to end? No, you would want and hope you had something deeper; you would want someone who cared for you deeper than just the stuff. You want someone who will stick by you when life happens. You would feel used if they left when the stuff was gone, when you needed them. Just like you want someone in it for you, God wants us in it for Him! It is sometimes a good idea to look for someone who has strengths in the areas where you are weak. Someone you can have a conversation with, a real conversation? If laughter is important to you, can you laugh together, have fun together? Do they want the same things you want out of life? For example you may want a large, expensive, high end house and car. They may want an average priced home in a nice neighborhood. You may call good money $150,000.00 per year; they may call good money $50,000.00 a year or less. You may value money and they may value family. Learn the deeper things about the person you are in relationship with, have intimate conversations. Find out if they know God or just go to church. When you come to the relationship table bring the real you, ask the real questions and get real answers. If you seek the real relationship, the deeper things and not just the stuff, I believe the reward will be great.