“You must be born again.” (John 3:7b NLT)
Tuesday night on the way from tutoring elementary students at out church, I turned the car radio to a nationwide, syndicated, popular radio show called “The Eliott Show.” Aside from playing Top 40 songs, this talented young host engages in conversations about a variety of topics, including relationships. Now don’t downplay this as not being related to our spiritual lives, for when you know the Lord, He can use you wherever you are and in whatever profession or place you are blessed to be at this moment, in your outside of the sanctuary, secular life. You will see, it is related. And based on what I have just said in the last two sentences, to you I say, “Let Him use you!”
On this particular night that I tuned in to the show referred to above, the initial talking subject was about oriented around the following question: How do you make a decision as to whether a person you meet in person or via social media or a dating app is right for you? The answers, of course varied. One particular caller spoke of meeting a person of whom you could check all the boxes: right age, physically pleasing to your eyes, single and not engaged in a committed relationship already, steadily employed, ambitious, able to engage in serious conversations, as well as having a sense of humor, and one who consistently demonstrates integrity and honesty.
The boxes on the caller’s checklist seems pretty inclusive, filled with a listening of good, great guideline. The fact that the caller had a mental, self-developed checklist meets with my approval, for what it is worth. Actually, it reminds me of a conversation with a singles group where I jokingly said, “When you go out to venues to meet a person, in order to avoid looking for just any person to fill a void, look for that special person and the really ‘right person.’ To do that you almost need a self-compose, thoughtfully created interview form of an application.” That would be similar to having a checklist on which you are checking all the boxes. Really, that should be something you should definitely do in these days and times. That is if you want to avoid smooth talkers and match up with a “Christ in me” walker or to avoid the beauty who does not have a beautiful mind, one that emulates the mind of Christ.
Back to the checklist! Being able to check all of your mental boxes seems like the person you meet will be what we call a winner or a keeper. But wait a minute! Or as we use to say, “Hold your horses!” Don’t conclude that you have found the right person so fast! From my perspective, people need to add one more box, one often omitted from checklist. A box that says one the following: “Born again” or “Saved” or “One who knows Jesus in the pardoning of their sins.” If you already have a mate, or if you are satisfied with your present status, what I am sharing may be wise words to share with someone who is still searching for someone.
You see, I know many of you may not need this advice at this stage in your life, but you never know, right? But I am almost positive, certain, that we all you know some young person, perhaps a son or daughter, a granddaughter or a grandson, a co-worker, or even one of the saints in your congregation who confides with you. So, share this with them! Tell them this a must read. And tell them that It will benefit them in the long run if they make sure to amend their checklists so they can really check all the boxes that will lead to a successful, not perfect necessarily. relationship. Man, I am sounding like a new day, contemporary “Dear Abby” or a bible-based version of a worldwide “Doctor” this morning! Smile! But after you get through smiling or laughing, know that perhaps, by sharing, somebody will be helped and will not make the wrong choice when entering a serious relationship. Let me close with a final word for all, including the ones you reach who are not a normal part of our readership. The final word: Add the opening and closing verses to the checklist. Have a great Friday! Be blessed!
“And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King