75 Percent

Relationships can be difficult at times. We seem to struggle in our relationships for the silliest of reasons. There is one thing you can do to make them better however. It doesn't cost a cent and has long-lasting benefits.

I am reading the biography of George H. W. Bush right now. "41" was written by his son George W. Bush. In the book he describes his mom and dad's relationship and their advice for a successful marriage.

“You have to go 75 percent of the way, Be thoughtful and make things nice for your husband or wife … it’s a two-way street.”

As we examine our own relationships, do WE do that? Do we go 75% of the way in OUR relationships in order to make them work?

I think that the lower the percentage of effort in any relationship equates  to the chance of success in that relationship. Basically, what you put into it is what you get out of it.

And what about our relationship with God? Do we go more than half way in our relationship with Him?

One of my friend's favorite verses is James 4:1 - "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?"

There are many things "that battle within us" for the time that we have to spend. How much of our time does God get? 10%? 5%? Less?

God gave 100% in His relationship with us when He sent His Son to die on our behalf.

What would our relationships look like if we gave each other 75%? What would our lives look like if we gave God 75%? And what would 100% look like?

Let that be our goal for today. To give more than we receive. Go the extra mile in ALL of our relationships. If we did that do you think our divorce rate would go down? Would church attendance rise? Would the number of fights n the streets be reduced?

O The Blood - Gateway Worship