Relationship Basics

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. - Leviticus 26:12

Prior to Leviticus 26, God has made it clear that He is the God who brought the Israelites out of bondage, and they are to be His people who serve Him. Within the chapter He tells Moses His expectations of them and the consequences of their obedience or disobedience. Once Moses relays the message to the people, God has established His relationship with them.

There are different ways to form relationships. Social media makes it possible to connect with no prior conversation. You can ‘Like’ a Page or ‘Follow’ someone but never tell the Page owner, “I expect you to post every day by 7:00 AM” or “I want all your tweets to focus on a specific subject”. It may work on social media, but in real life many relationships are unhealthy due to failure to properly establish. It’s important to clearly state the roles you’ll play, what you’re willing to contribute, and your expectations. There should be mutual agreement and understanding. The relationship may require a written covenant or contract. Be careful to not assume that the other person or people just know what you want or what to do. Without direct communication, you may set yourself up for hurt, disappointment, and/or failure. With effective communication, you may find that you’re with one accord and able to move forward in a mutually satisfying partnership.