Relationships are the foundation of a fulfilling life. They bring us comfort, love, and support. They help us grow as individuals. However, relationships do not conform to cold, calculated facts, data, and figures. A relationship’s utility is not always obvious. Calculating the ROI (return on investment) of a relationship is a fruitless exercise. Relationships are personal, messy, and emotional. They are not based on logic, but on feelings and experiences. The idea that relationships can be measured by a set of rules or that they should conform to specific expectations is flawed.
Relationships are not a science, but an art. They are dynamic and ever-evolving. They cannot be reduced to a formula. This is evident when studying relationships in the Bible, historical stories, or your own life. Our relationship with God is thorny. And our worth to God is not obvious. It perplexed the Psalmist to the point where he wondered why humans were created slightly lower than heavenly beings (Psalms 8:5). The relationship between David and Jonathan made no logical sense. Why would someone join forces with his father’s adversary? Similarly, you may struggle to comprehend certain friendships, partnerships, and even marriages around you. You are confused by logic.
Relationships are an essential component of living a fulfilling life. There is no getting around it. To protect yourself in a relationship, the only logical thing to do is to draw the line at values. When building relationships, it is important to draw the line at values. The people we choose to have in our lives should share our values and beliefs. This will help to create strong, meaningful relationships that are built on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect. You can nurture a relationship with someone once you’ve established that you share values with them. You cannot go through life alone. Learn to accept relationships for what they are, flaws and all.
