Establishing Relationships

Casting Crowns sings "East to West." "Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west? 'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been rising up in me again. In the arms of Your mercy I find rest, 'cause You know just how far the east is form the west: from one scarred hand to the other!" Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (NIV) I love the illustration that Casting Crowns gives at the end of the chorus. Just how far is the east from the west? From one pierced, scarred hand of Christ to the other as he hung on that cross, all so that our relationship with Him could be restored!

1 Kings 12:16 says, "When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king, 'What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse's son? To your tents, O Israel! Look over your own house, O David!'" (NIV)

The establishment of relationships is one of the most important concepts any leader needs to understand. Without a solid connection, your followers will not go along with you for very long. You must first show them that you care about them and their well-being. As Maxwell says, you have to touch a heart before you ask for a hand. Otherwise, you may very well end up in a position similar to Rehoboam's, where his people abandoned him because he failed to connect on a personal level.

Take the example of Christ. He came to earth to reconnect with His creation. As sinners, we have failed to stand up to His perfect standard. We deserve punishment. However, He loves us so much, each of us individually, that He came to die for each of us! Think about this: If you were the only sinful person, Christ would have still come and died, for you. It is a personal relationship that He came to restore to each and every one of us, a relationship between the Father and us. Now that is personal!

Maxwell asks, "How do you connect with individuals?"

Make friendships, where appropriate. Connect with others in your career field and build a professional network. Connect with your followers individually.

Pray this prayer: Father, please help me to build strong, positive, lasting relationships with those who follow me. Help me to show them Your love and connect with them on a personal, individual basis. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!