RELATIONSHIPS

By Pastor Bob DeKlavon

Today marks a momentous anniversary in my life.

Fifty years ago, today, I met my best friend.

66 years ago, today, I was introduced to my 4-year-old brother [it was HIS birthday}.

I will talk about these more in a moment but let me start here with some thoughts.

God has us on earth to love Him and to love others.

The idea is that we would have symbiotic relationships whereby we help others and they us.

In His providence and out of His grace—we get to meet ‘some’ people who stay with us forever.

Solomon rightly wrote in Proverbs 17:17:

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Our social media world gives an illusion of friendship.

We can say we have hundreds of friends on Facebook but how many love at all times?

50 years ago today, it was a Friday night and I attended a Bible study group.

Dozens of teens crowded into a house to sing, hear a Bible study and connect with others.

My friend, Mark, had been invited by another friend and we met that day for the first time.

For 50 years, we have lived almost parallel lives as God called us each into ministry.

We have adopted children and have gone through ups and downs with our kids.

We have both been loved by the church and suffered setbacks due to God’s people.

Through it all, we have enjoyed a David-Jonathan relationship whereby we love each other.

My brother whose birthday is today—has always been a great older brother.

In many ways, I have followed very imperfectly in his footsteps.

We had both considered being lawyers, but God had different plans.

He went to Bible College and I went to the same one.

He went into vocational ministry and so did I.

We diverted only in that he went into teaching and administration in an academic role.

His love for the Lord provided a consistent foundation for my human understanding of God.

Time is so short when you consider a 50-year anniversary.

The exhortation is to value the time God has given to you.

I have been graced by God with these 2 men and others who may show up in later blogs.

But, today, these two came to mind because of our introduction by grace.