How To Better Understand Relationships and Enliven What Matters by Billie Jauss

by Rachael Adams | Oct 24, 2024 | The Love Offering Guest Blog Series

We don’t always get to choose the people we encounter. They often don’t look like us, speak the same language, or have the same opinions. However, we can understand the level of connections, navigate the depth of each, and continue to build community.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Jesus didn’t say we should like the five people standing on the right but not the five standing on the left. He also didn’t say we should only love Christians who agree with him. He called us to love one another so that they know we are His disciples.

When we learn to navigate the four relationships we encounter daily, we find the freedom to love others even if we differ in beliefs, culture, or language. We encounter four types of relationships: Accidental Acquaintances, Social Circles, Kindred Spirits, and Forever Family.

The first type of relationship, Accidental Acquaintance, are the people we see at the grocery store, a meeting, or an event. It includes the group we follow on social media and can be immense. We may meet them once and never again.

Our connection can stay respectful and loving by being friendly and confrontational, even if we disagree.

Our Social Circle includes the people we attend church with, serve in the same charitable organization, or are parents of the other children in our child’s classroom or sports team. We know a little about their lives. The relationship is recognized but Topical.

The third level of friends is Kindred Spirit. These are the people in our Social Circle who we want to get to know better. The person you want to get to know better, take them to lunch or sit on the couch with a coffee.

They get us and understand what matters. We realize what makes them tick and share a mutual respect for what breaks each other’s hearts.

The last type of friendship is the Forever Family. They are the ones that go to war for you when you don’t even know you’re in a war.

When we need Jesus in skin, they are at the drop of a hat. They hit their knees and cry out to Jesus for us. They don’t just say, “I’ll pray for you.” They start before we finish our request.

These friends are our Kindred Spirits, taken to a new level of commitment and loyalty. Not everyone we encounter becomes Forever Family, and sometimes, people we meet never even enter our Social Circle, yet we are commanded to love one another and love them like Jesus.

The discernment of these four relationships can be utilized every day, with every encounter, allowing us to be more kind and honoring of other people.

My friend, let’s be the people who bring peace into conversations, build others up, and encourage them right where they are. Let them know you are a disciple of Christ.

About the Author:

Billie Jauss is an international speaker, award-winning author, and podcast host with over 37 years of experience navigating life supporting her husband, Dave, an MLB coach. She shares their experiences to help women navigate life’s chaos and embrace the freedom and peace God desires for them so they can share His love with those God has placed in front of them wherever He puts them.