This week we are focusing on relationships because even those we’ve chosen with care and intention are sometimes messy and unpredictable. In the end, offenses happen and hidden expectations limit our ability to see beyond the here and now.

Even so, God calls us into relationship because it’s in relationships that we discover our need for change. This happens because relationships tend to reflect our flaws, even magnify them.

Truth is, every day we are challenged to make choices in relationship. Do I invest or divest? Forgive or hold a grudge? Honor or hurt?

With that in mind, take a minute to think about the key relationships in your life. 

I don’t know if you can relate, but most of my relationships are in constant flux. If I’m not intentional to foster healthy interaction, quality time, and appropriate boundaries they can easily run off the rails. I need God’s word to teach me. His Spirit to counsel me. And His grace to tender my heart toward forgiveness.

How about you? Are you intentional to foster your relationships or do you operate on auto-pilot cleaning up the mess as you go?

Recently, I’ve been working my way through a book by Beth Guckenberger called Reckless Faith, and I’ve been challenged by what it means to live with one foot in eternity. This perspective requires us to count the cost of today against the profit of tomorrow. To do this in our relationships, we must petition eternity and let it influence our interactions.

Our scripture verse this week is an invitation to do just that. By washing the feet of those in His close circle of friends, Jesus models an external expression of an internal disposition. This disposition reflects a perspective of not only living with one foot in eternity, but loving this way as well.

You see, Jesus knew He was on His way to Calvary. He was also fully aware that Judas was about to betray Him, and that Peter would soon deny Him. And yet, He wanted them to understand this basic principle of love that even in the mess of their relationship with Him, and each other, this approach to friendship was a fundamental response based on the influence of eternity.

In truth, it’s hard to look past an offense. Even harder to turn the other cheek. But we see Jesus’ washing of the disciple’s feet as a forerunner of forgiveness. His actions displayed a beautiful contradiction of sacrificial love—the kind that would be portrayed in haunting depth the following day as He hung on the cross.

In the end, relationship with God and with others gets messy. This is a reality we have to embrace. And because of this reality, the need for forgiveness and grace is staggering. Sometimes it’s too much. Our only hope is to live and love from a posture of purpose—one that has a sure footing in eternity. 

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed and let the influence of eternity change your today.