If you could hear God’s heart right now, I think you’d hear, “I already love you. I want to get close to you.” Part of being a Believer is changing your old ways so that you can actually develop a relationship. That’s why it’s important when you’re “building” something new in your life to have a firm foundation! If God isn’t involved in your life, whatever you’re building won’t be blessed. “If the Lord does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the Lord does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert” (Psalm 127:1). This is a warning about the fact that leaving God out the picture has consequences.
What’s one of the first things you should do when you’re focusing on a firm foundation? You need to surround yourself with people who will build you up. Ecclesiastes 4:12: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Church can be one of the best places to find others to stand with you, and more importantly, people who stand for God.
Having close friends and keeping your relationship with your spouse strong, if you are married, is key. Your marriage is going to be attacked because it’s supposed to be a picture of being in a relationship with Christ. The enemy knows that one of the best ways to tear you down is to tear your marriage apart. You have to remember what you’re really supposed to be going after in this life when you’re working on relationships. Without keeping this focus, it’s easy to get distracted. Look at what Matthew 6:33 has to say about this! “ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Righteousness isn’t an afterthought; it’s a lifestyle.