It seems that I'm frequently getting emails or calls from people who want to share their hurts and joys. We're reminded in Scripture that we are to "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." Life is about relationships. The most important relationship is the relationship with have with God the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son. The next relationship in importance is the one to whom we have committed ourselves in marriage. Of course, our relationship with our children follows that with our spouse.
Another relationship that we often neglect involves the ties we have with others who have trusted in Christ for their salvation and life. Sadly, there are too many places today where it is possible to enter into a body of believers without having deep, personal, and lasting fellowship. Too often our selfishness is revealed when someone wants to share something of their lives, are seeking prayer support, or just need someone to tell them they understand and care. In an age where being busy is a virtue, perhaps it is time for Christians to spend more time with people and less with pursuits that do not enrich our lives and help someone walk closer to Christ.
Relationships are not an option. I John clearly reminds us that we cannot say we love God who we have not seen and hate our brother whom we have seen. Life is full of "divine appointments" that provide opportunities for us to minister to others. Let's not let them pass because we have our agenda. As believers, our agenda is now in God's control and some "interruptions" may be His gift to us so that we can develop our inner life to be more like Christ.