Nurturing Relationships: the #1 Goal in Life

 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”--Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

What’s important in life? The answer varies. A person may categorize themselves in a variety of ways:

• Level of Intelligence
• Financial Status
• Career
• Social Standing
• Hobbies

Some people may have struggled with unkind descriptions from childhood, whether or not they were spoken aloud. This baggage may include:

• “Bullied”
• “Weird”
• “Different”
• “Abused”
• “Stupid”
• “Sick”
• “At risk”

If we had no choice but to stick with such childhood designations, a majority of celebrities wouldn’t be where they are today. True, right?  A little bit of research can turn up hundreds of related accounts.

The Folly of Labeling

I propose that labels, good or bad, are unimportant. They may truly define us for a while. They may also be inaccurate names given to us by selfish, cruel people. The point is that they usually paint an incomplete, temporary, or even entirely false, picture. 

So why should we attach so much importance to them? Maybe we shouldn’t.

Because designations can be arbitrary and objective, they may be meaningless. For instance, one culture may define “beauty” a completely different way from another one.  

Who’s right and who’s wrong? Does it matter?

The Importance of Relationships in Heaven

Let’s look at what’s really important in life: love and relationships. That’s what survivors of near-death experiences (NDEs) report.

NOTE: NDEs are situations in which a person is declared clinically dead, but they are brought back to life against all odds. Survivors share a variety of accounts about heavenly visitations.

Our success on Earth doesn’t matter. It’s a fleeting moment in time.

NDE participants report on the unimportance of earthly victories when we cross to the other side. Love and compassion are the currency of Heaven, so to speak. Plainly speaking, they are asked about their treatment of people.

The importance of relationships on Earth

As we near the end of our lives, we often see the result of our dealings with others. It’s a cause and effect relationship: the Law of the Harvest.

Some Individuals will have been consistently kind to family and loved ones. They are more likely to have visitors and supporters. This is true whether they live at home or live in a long-term health-care facility. Individuals who haven’t shown compassion  may find themselves struggling for nurturing connections.

My Conclusion

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works;”-- Hebrews 10:24 (KJV)

Materialistic goals and labels fluctuate. Kindness is the most practical priority in life. What we give out truly is returned to us--sooner or later. It’s a “You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours” situation.

We don’t live in a vacuum. That means we either help or hinder each other’s progress constantly. Our choices will always have long-term consequences.

Related Posts

The Law of the Harvest: 2 Examples

How we Reap What we sow: 2 Examples

How do we Make Effective Choices?

How are your interactions with people?