We are busy with a series about the
three little pigs. And we have been asking ourselves the following
question: What are our lives built out of, straw, sticks or bricks?
I spoke last week about the first straw that I believe can fill up
our time, and that is the internet and social media. I truly
believe that if left unguarded, it can quickly replace the more
important things in our lives. And when the first storm in our
lives blow, the time spent on the internet will not help us to
weather it successfully.
The second thing that I would like
to discuss which can consume time unnecessarily is people.
2. People
Now let me explain this carefully.
Here I am talking about people that can waste your time and wear
you down. I am not talking about the people closest to you that
form part of the bricks in your life. After all Jesus said that the
second biggest commandment is to love one another and our great
commission is to go out and tell people about Jesus and His
wonderful saving power. So I am not saying that you must forsake
that, but I would like to talk about friendships and there comes a
time when it is better to break a certain friendship than to keep
it. Let me explain at the hand of examples. I have heard countless
times people say something to the extent of:
"I don't really find any joy in
spending time with this person, but before I know it we have a
coffee date. Afterwards I feel drained and I didn't enjoy it at
all, but I couldn't say no." or
"I feel that we have had a
relationship for 10 years already, I cannot accept that we have
grown apart. Even though I don't enjoy our time together anymore, I
am going to keep the friendship going." Or
"Before I can help myself I am at
the coffee machine at work gossiping about some of the people in
the office. I don't really have time to gossip, but before I can
help myself I am there catching up on the latest news." Or
"I know that person is not good for
me. Whenever we are together we do things that we normally wouldn't
do on our own, but I can't muster up the courage to get that person
out of my life." Or
"I know I need to spend more time
with my family, but I need to interact and spend time with these
guys in order to be promoted."
Now I don't have to tell you this,
but I think you all realize deep down that when the real storms and
difficult times in your lives come, these 'friends' will wither
away like dew in the sun and at the next coffee break at work they
will be gossiping about you.
We all know inherently that we
should let them go, but I know that it is sometimes easier said
than done. But the fact of the matter is that they are not good for
you. They might not be 'wicked' people, but they do have an
influence on you. When I started working I worked at a company
where it was the norm to get drunk at every social event (and there
was a lot!). And you know what, even though I didn't join them, it
was not before long I began to accept their behavior and be less
appalled by it. I started to accept it as the norm and not the
exception. I even thought it was funny at times. And later on I
realized that they were having a very bad effect on me. As a child
of God I wasn't supposed to join them at every social and stay
until late with them, because it was not good for me and it was not
good for my relationship with the Lord.
So yes, I know it is difficult, but
at the end of the day it is more important to honor God than
people. But don't just take my word for it; let's see what the Lord
says in His Word about friendships.
"The godly are cautious in
friendship, the wicked lead them astray." Proverbs12:26
"Whoever walks with the wise
will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm."
Proverbs13:20
"Oh, the joys of those who do
not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners,
or join in with scoffers." Psalm 1:1
"Don't team up with those who
are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How
can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between
Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an
unbeliever?...Therefore, come out from them, says the Lord. Don't
touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be
your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord
Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 17 - 18
I guess I can go on with more
verses as there are quite a number concerning this issue. The point
I would like to make is this. People are social beings and we were
created that way. And when you do social, make sure it is with
someone that will build you up, that will make you feel refreshed
after the chat, someone that is positive and especially someone who
loves the Lord and that will be there when the first storm comes to
rock your house. Someone that will support you through thick and
thin.
Don't waste time on people who only
wear you down and who take up your precious time, instead focus on
those people that form part of the bricks in your life. But I will
talk about them later, for now, choose your friends carefully; they
have a major impact on your life.
Lord Jesus, please give us the
courage to end relationships that are not good for us. Give us the
desire to spend time with You instead. Help us to prioritize and
rather spend quality time with the people closest to us, those who
are truly important. Amen