Tomorrow is Friday the 13th. For some the thought brings trepidation at what might happen that could be connect to the idea of Friday the 13th as an omen of negativity. For many the number 13 is viewed as an undesirable number, a number to be skipped because of the association of dread that has been connected to it.
For my wife Ruth & I the number 13 is not a number associated with negativity but a number to be celebrated, especially October 13. It was not a Friday, but a Saturday, in 1979 the year we were married. Tomorrow we will celebrate 44 years of marriage. I continually rejoice that my wonderful wife has put up with me, and I am not easy to put up with, for 44 years. We have had our trials and struggles as any couple has but we have stayed connected through the third cord in our relationship – God. Solomon, sharing his God given wisdom with us through his writings in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes states in the fourth chapter that “a triple braided cord is not easily broken.” Ruth and I can attest to the strength of God as the third cord in our marriage as the cornerstone of our relationship.
I have stated many times that when we allow God to be the center of our lives every relationship will benefit. There are times when it may seem like allowing God to be priority number one creates division within a relationship but ultimately promoting God to the position of number one becomes the litmus test for any relationship.
Have you struggled in your relationships in the past? My advice would be to center every relationship around God. When God is central, He serves as the guiding force and North Star to direct the relationship forward. Too often we get our priorities off center; in an attempt to follow societies leading we direct our focused attention away from God toward the things that culture promotes.
Today as you consider pausing at noon to Bend-A-Knee in prayer may you refocus your center on Christ. May you promote Him to number one in your life and allow Him to become the third cord in every relationship. God’s desire is to strengthen your earthly relationship through His strength. May you allow Him to do as He desires in every relationship – You may be surprised at the result!
Stay connected to God & to others
God’s Peace,
Pastor Mike