Relationships Help Us Persevere

Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25

In this hectic, technological world, we are in danger of becoming more isolated. Surely you’ve noticed the number of people whose eyes stay riveted to their handheld electronic devices. Think how much time children and adults spend alone watching television, texting, and sitting at computers doing work and homework. For all the benefits of advancement, I fear we’re losing out on personal, face-to-face interaction.

The last half of Hebrews 10 is packed with a charge for believers to spend time in worship and persevere together in Christ. God made all of us for relationships—first with Him and also with others—and we help each other when we connect frequently.

During the ten years I was a teacher, I became concerned that relational skills were not being properly emphasized in the curriculum. Two vital skills that usually determine job success (and life success) are good communication and sensitivity to others. Because life continues moving faster, we have difficulty slowing down long enough to effectively teach these skills at home, school, church, work, and play.

As a body of believers, we can work together to reverse the trend of isolation that is bound to negatively impact future generations. Taking time for worship and fellowship, Bible study and prayer, milk and cookies, coffee and cake not only provides opportunities to teach manners, but it brings us out of our private worlds and helps us persevere together through life.

All people are precious, and really paying attention to others takes conscious effort and purposely unplugging to do life in real time, face to face. Patiently slowing down for the elderly person in front of us at the grocery store requires effort. Putting aside to-dos to give children the attention they need can feel unproductive. And it certainly takes time, even in the church community, to meet together and encourage one another. But God instructs us to do just that because we all benefit!

Unplug. Invite a friend to lunch. Or serve your children and their friends an after-school snack. Offer unhurried, personal attention and hear the highs and lows of their day.