Shape Of Your Heart: Discover The Building Blocks Of Great RelationshipsSample

Put It Together

The book of Nehemiah is a book about building and restoration. The city of Jerusalem was in ruins and the walls were broken and burned. When Nehemiah learned of its condition he set his heart to see it repaired.

In chapter eight we see how God used Nehemiah to connect people back to His plan and His purpose. It shows us that this building project wasn’t just about a wall renovation. It was about a restoration and revival in people’s hearts. Maybe those are good words to describe what you want to see God do in your relationships. But notice Nehemiah’s story didn’t begin in chapter eight with revival. It started when he surveyed the actual state of things and understood the work that needed take place.

Maybe when you look at your situation it seems like your relationship is broken and burned. The good news is that broken things can be rebuilt and burned things can be restored. In the book of Nehemiah the revival and restoration didn’t happen until they began to build with what was already there. This principle is also true with our relationships. It is easy to focus on the area that is broken down; it could be trust, communication, respect or any number of others things. But just because something is wrong in a relationship does not mean something is wrong with the relationship. 

Even if you feel like your relationship is in pieces currently you can discover the joy and satisfaction that comes with building something great out of the pieces. In fact, maybe it’s in pieces on purpose. Think about Legos. They come in a box with a picture of what’s possible, but the only way to experience everything the box has to offer is to build with the pieces it contains. Our relationships are the same way and God wants to help you put the pieces together. He’s got the knowledge and instructions to take what you think is broken and build a great relationship.

Questions for reflection.

Have you been hoping for a restoration or revival in a relationship before you’ve taken inventory of the situation? What are the pieces that you can use to build toward God’s purpose in your relationships?