“Everything significant starts with relationship.”

A thought by John Townsend from his book, People Fuel (p. 13). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Relationships are so very important, aren’t they?

John says, “At the end of the day, your faith, your family, your work, and your leadership are all based on who you relate to and how you relate. Your life is motivated by love for others, being part of a family, a desire for intimacy and vulnerability, choosing to work on a great team, and creating a product or service that helps others. We are happiest when we know our lives revolve around people. Conversely, we are not ourselves, not our best selves, when we are isolated and alone.

“Even more, think of how energized you are when you are around someone who gets you and encourages you. Your mind clears up, you are more positive, and you push through obstacles. It’s like guzzling an energy drink and rebooting yourself.”

He goes on, “Now think of the opposite experience: that person who drained you or, worse, was overly negative toward you. For me, the feeling after that encounter is that I’m walking through sludge, with very little mojo. So I have learned to embrace the first and, as much as possible, avoid the second.”

John later says,  “We need to need each other. People are the fuel for us to grow, be healthy, and prosper. God created a system in which we are to need not only him but also one another. That means we need to know what we need, recognize who can supply it, and have the skills to get it. And that will make a significant difference in life. More than significant—crucial. This is not an add-on or a luxury. The things we provide each other are a basic necessity. Let’s get out of the thinking that goes like this: Oh yes, asking others to support and help me. Great idea. I’ll pencil that in for next month. For this to work, it will need to be more frequent and more regular. You don’t put off meals for a month, nor should you put off God’s fuel.

“And not only that but to be the best person possible, you need the highest quality fuel possible. You want your car to have the highest-rated gasoline so it can perform at the highest level. You want to eat right and limit junk food. You want to experience inspiring books and videos and stay away from content that is a waste of time. So you also want to be around and learn from the best people available.”

And that is so much what we need and that is also what we want to be, isn’t it? 

Yes, yes?