I just finished reading An Idaho Christmas: Past and Present a compilation of two of Robin Lee Hatcher’s Christmas romances. It reminded me of the plots for Hallmark romance movies and brought questions to mind.

• Why is there always a miscommunication?

• Why is there always an impossible situation?

• Why can’t the romantic characters see what everyone around them is observing?

• Why so much drama?

Maybe because the authors/script writers follow what they’ve observed in real life, or what they’d like to see in real life? Possibly because human nature has never really changed since the first marriage? What’s the relevance of it all? Let’s ponder a bit.

In my own life, there was a time while we were dating that my husband (to-be) John saw me on the sidewalk, said hi and I didn’t respond. He thought I was ignoring him or mad at him. The truth was, I was on my way home from school concentrating on my teen-aged thoughts so thoroughly that I didn’t see or hear him! We’ve had many instances where we did not communicate well-if at all- and it made things very difficult. As with the romance stories, each of us has had longings for the other and not understood we had the same longings. If we’d just spoken up and not held it in, we’d have saved a lot of drama and hurt.

In the Bible we read of similar things that may be relevant to these romance stories.  How about Jacob and Esau when Jacob returned to Bethel (Genesis 32-35) with his wives and children? He was sure Esau wanted to kill him and take for himself all that Jacob had acquired. Esau did just the opposite! Joseph and his brothers in Egypt; (Genesis 42-43) they thought he was going to kill them, he just wanted to reveal himself and be reconciled. David’s relationship with his brothers in 1 Samuel 17 and Joseph’s relationship with his brothers in Genesis 37.  What about Jacob’s wives who were sisters?

I appreciate the way God inspired the Bible to be written. I can relate to the people in the stories because I’ve realized as King Solomon did in Ecclesiastes 1:9

That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 

As in the romance stories, we can observe or discern misunderstandings; people often can’t see what’s true because they can’t get out of their heads. Often, being inside the relationship, the truth that’s evident to the outsider is hidden from them. How many times have I watched or read these stories and been frustrated that they just can’t see what’s right in front of them???  Why are they believing a lie their thoughts dreamed up? Then I realize I’m the same way in my own life!     

What about in your life?  Have you ever thought someone was mad at you then found out they weren’t even thinking about you at the time?  What seemed relevant in your view was not in their thoughts.  As I’m growing in the things of the Lord and getting new revelation on love and Godly relationships, I’m able to help others see some of these things and work on the love and relationship parts. I’m getting better perspective on why people act like they do and why I act like I do!

Last Sunday, our Pastor spoke about Relevance. He asked us to think about that drug addict, the alcoholic, the abuser. If I had grown up in his/her household, with the people they grew up with, the abuses they suffered, the neighborhood they lived in, I could have the same problems they have. If I’m going to be relevant and minister Christ to these people, I need a new perspective. As I said in last week’s blog, it’s all about love and relationship with God first, then people. We need God’s perspective to be able to love those He puts around us. Compassion is the mode we should operate in; start with a true estimation of who I am in Christ, then a true estimation of the other people around me. Jesus paid the price for ALL of us to be forgiven of sin. This thought lends to:

^{1 John 2: 9} He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. ¹⁰ He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

As this passage shows, if we walk in the Light of God, the shadows of darkness won’t blind us. Remember, the light of God is His love, displayed in Christ Jesus. Let’s draw close to Him and walk in the light of love and minister to those He puts in our spheres of influence. I pray we all begin to see others as God sees them, through Christ’s blood sacrifice and His love. Then we can find common ground and become relevant to those around us. The Gospel based on love and restored relationship is always relevant if we just realize it. I leave you all in the love and admonition of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Remember: