Question:
67.1— How can we give 100% of our energy to our relationship with our Lord and Savior while building relationships with nonbelievers, colleagues, friends, family…….. Does not development of our earthly relationships take away some portion of our energy and therefore require something <100% to the Lord?
Answer:
67.1— The 100% question is a good one. It reminds me of what someone told Jenni and me when our first child was born. They said, “It will take 100% of your time to take care of one child, 100% of your time to take care of two children, 100% of your time to take care of three children, etc.” They were right because that sure is what it seems like. It’s not quite the same but it seems like our relationship with the Lord is similar. He wants to have 100% of our energy, devotion, and love no matter how many other relationships and responsibilities we have. Luke 10:27, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” As we work we should work “Heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Colossians 3:23. The relationships that we have with other people should all honor the Lord in such a way that by having those relationships we are actually serving the Lord through having them. By living life this way we don’t compartmentalize our lives into God’s time, work time, friend’s time, family time, fun time, etc. Instead, all of our time is for the Lord and He directs and uses us at our work and with family and friends.