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Looking in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, I found "relationship" defined as "1. The state of being related. 2. kinship; consanguinity or affinity." As a student going into my first year of Bible college, I have been taught to "look deeper", and this definition did not satisfy me.
Why was I so interested in the meaning of the word "relationship"? This summer, I worked as an intern at Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship, my home church in Coquitlam, B.C., coordinating the children's summer ministries. Easily my job title could have been "Relationship Encourager" because that is what I spent my summer doing: I encouraged children to have a relationship with Jesus at the same time that they were building relationships with their friends and leaders.
This job first took me to Whistler, B.C. with our senior high youth group, providing a Vacation Bible School program for that community. This was a time of growth for both the children and the youth. During this Christ-centred week full of song, prayer and fellowship, the youth were able to take a deeper look into their own spiritual lives. Two youth in particular made a new commitment to a life of love and Jesus. This was the most uplifting part of the week for me since I already had a friendship with these people and had been praying for them. This took place at the end of the week, the same time that the youth had the opportunity to pray with some of the VBS kids as they became new members of God's family.
Summer Day Camp was the next priority. This was a smaller camp to which Grades 5 and 6 kids from inside our church could bring their friends from outside the church. These kids were excited to come, knowing that after the morning devotional they would be heading out to Planet Lazer, Science World, Stanley Park, etc. Because it was a smaller camp, I was able to develop a friendship with the kids on a more individual level as they also developed friendships with each other.
The second VBS of the summer was at the Eagle Ridge Church. Of the 110 kids registered, less than 20% were from our church. Many seeds were planted in the hearts of these children. They were singing exciting songs, making crafts that proclaimed "Jesus is Alive!", listening to a Bible lesson and just having a lot of fun. I was struck by the innocence of these kidshugs and kisses, the little waves, the sweet comments and compliments. I see how when we get older, we are so careful about what we say and do because we worry about being judged by others.
I ended up finding the type of definition for "relationship" that I was looking for. When someone has a positive relationship with another, it is called a friendship. Friends are loved. Then it hit me. I should have checked the Bible to find what happens in a perfect relationship. I Corinthians 13 had my answer: "If I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. . . . Love is patient, love is kind. . . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Alaina Thiesen
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