The Relationship Matters by Tecia Janes

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Meaningful friendships don’t just happen. They certainly don’t maintain themselves.

Some of my dearest friends have always lived far away. The only way they’ve remained a significant part of my life is through intentionality. Phone calls don’t magically make themselves. Plane tickets don’t book themselves. Time doesn’t suddenly appear in an already packed schedule. Early on, I realized that if I wanted these treasured friendships in my life, I would have to make room for them.

The beautiful thing is that my friends have done the same for me. They know me. They understand me. They call, text, visit, and make the effort to stay connected. One of the things I appreciate most is that when life gets busy and I begin to drift, they don’t quietly disappear. They extend grace, but they also lovingly call me on it. The relationship matters to them, and they’re willing to fight for it.

As I reflected on these friendships, I realized that’s exactly what God does for us.

God doesn’t desire a casual acquaintance with us. He wants a deep and personal relationship. He is intentional. He pursues us. He invites us into His presence day after day. He doesn’t want our leftovers; He wants our first and our best.

And when we’ve allowed busyness, distractions, or life’s demands to place Him on the back burner, He comes calling. Sometimes it’s through the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it’s through a friend who asks, “How can I pray for you?” Sometimes it’s through a song that reaches straight into the depths of our soul. Time and again, God reminds us that He is near and that the relationship matters.

God created us with a desire to be known. We see this reflected in Hagar’s story in Genesis 16:13 (NIV):

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’”

Alone, hurting, and overlooked, she encountered God in the wilderness, and He met her exactly where she was. He saw her pain, her fears, and her circumstances.

Isn’t that what we all long for?

To be seen.
To be heard.
To be known.
To be loved.

The good news is that God sees us completely and loves us fully. He invites us into a relationship that is nurtured through time, attention, and intentionality. Just as our friendships require investment to grow, our relationship with God flourishes when we intentionally make space for Him.

The more we pursue Him, the more we discover that He has been pursuing us all along.

Prayer

Father, thank You for pursuing me even when life becomes busy and distracting. Help me to be intentional in my relationship with You, giving You my first and best instead of my leftovers. Teach me to invest in the relationships You’ve given me and to reflect Your faithful love to others. Amen.