To the Ancients, Friendship seemed the happiest and most fully human of all loves; the crown of life and the school of virtue.
C.S. Lewis
Did you know science proves that relationships matter? The connections we make with our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues can “lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems.”
It’s so important that we make time in our busy lives to consider the relationships around us, so that social connection doesn’t fall on the backburner. We need these relationships, and so does our society, especially today.
According to data from 2022, the top reason people choose euthanasia in Canada is because they aren’t able to engage in meaningful activities. More than one in three choose euthanasia because they feel like a burden and one in six because of loneliness. Relationships play a key role in helping to maintain a person’s sense of identity in the world – a sense of meaning and purpose.
Positive and supportive relationships can also help protect against exploitation and abuse. Predators and abusers often prey on those who are feeling isolated and seek to isolate those people further from their family and friends.
When we build strong relationships with those around us – in our families, churches, and communities, we help set in motion an effective protection system for people in vulnerable circumstances.
A practical way we can help create change on issues such as sexual exploitation and euthanasia is by being there for those around us– being available and willing to walk through hardships with them (Proverbs 17:17).
Prioritising people has eternal consequences. When we talk with people about our own struggles and theirs, we realize we’re not alone. When we indicate we are available for even tough conversations, we open the door to trust and show people it is safe to share.
And when we are grieving the isolation, the lack of care, the exploitation of those who are vulnerable among us – we can cry out to the God of relationships. He hears us and He cares for us: “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:17-18). What a glorious promise – this God of relationships stands near those who are broken in heart.
Following God’s call to love others actually helps improve our own (and their!) physical and mental health. We can help alleviate feelings of social disconnection and lack of community. This improves quality of life and a person’s sense of their own value.
So, what does it look like to live out our relational religion? An important way we can be God’s agents, His hands and feet on this earth, is through building relationships.
The Bible is filled with examples of friendships – Naomi and Ruth, David and Jonathan, Paul and Timothy. And we have Jesus’ instructions to His followers to love one another as He has loved us (John 15:12).
We get to offer the practical gift of friendship and presence to people who feel hopeless or despairing, a tangible sign of God’s love. Through presence and prayer, we can extend the love, peace and joy that is only found in Christ. And we can all do this. This gift of love and companionship is available to each one of us to share.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a light on a hill. One of the ways we can do this is by building relationships with those around us. We can stand in stark contrast to a socially disconnected world. Building relationships is not the only solution, but it is an important part of creating change.
Here is a list of practical guides to help us build close relationships in different contexts. And remember, our hope is in Jesus our King and He communes with His people, giving us the ultimate example of loving friendship.
List of resources:
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