Rethinking Relationship

I remember hearing this idea that the reason why humans strive to gain personal relationships is because, the more people we believe truly "know" us, the more self actualized we become. The reason why people aim for fame, power, money is primarily so that people will notice them and in turn, the individual will become more real and self actualized. In laymen terms, the more people know you, know of you, are affected by you, the better you feel and the more happiness you experience. The reason why we don't all have thousands of friends is because of the fact that there is a lot of cost in having friendships, there is time, money, effort, and all the other wonderful things that it costs to have someone as a friend. You cannot be friends with everyone, but you can try if you have enough resources. The more friends you have, the more "real" you are. Have you heard the phrase, "I think, therefore I am"? This is basically saying "They like me, therefore I am". Celebrities find fame a drug, that helps them realize that they truly are worth something. Millionaires find that their money proves that they have reached the top. Kings and emperors, know that thousands of people are at their disposal, therefore making them almighty.

I suppose the point I bring up this theory, is two fold. The fact that people are so enthralled with relationships. Be it friendship, be it a rival, be it an enemy, or even a love interest. People are consumed by relationships. Why do you think Facebook is so popular? It is easy access into thousands (maybe millions if you are super popular) of people's lives at the touch of a button. Friendships are so easy these days (I say this is slight sarcasm, as I view the online aspect of relationships as a sad facade in comparison to the real depth you can achieve through a simple meeting face to face). And secondly, because I am so enthralled by relationships, and I find it disturbing. I find it hard to believe when someone infers that I am not their friend "just because, not because you did anything wrong, but just because". I find it intriguing when couples form, and even more intriguing as to the reasons they stay together (or reasons for the opposite). I find friendships to be an even more curious beast, as they can be as simple as knowing someone from a class, to someone you can call up to go play basketball with (at any hour of day or night).

I suppose that this discussion would be much more interesting with charts and graphs, but I am too lazy. But I do have in mind what it could possibly look like.

Relationships are so enjoyable (sometimes even the negative relationships, such as a heated rivalry) but they come at costs (as mentioned before). So if the relationship has more enjoyment than costs, obviously that relationship should continue.

I think that although it is a very sound argument as to why people continue their relationships, I think there is a large factor that most people forget when thinking of relationships.

God.

Cliche. I know.

My mind is spinning, that is for sure, as to what the importance of human-human relationships are, and what they are good for, but one thing is clear.

The God-Man relationship, is a relationship in which God is the good, and man is the endless disappointment.

I think I have come to sort of a revelation as to why God supports human-human relationship.

When we are in relation with God, benefit comes to both sides. God is glorified and Man is purified. When we are in relation with one another, benefit SHOULD come to both sides (I think it should still be God is glorified, Man is purified, but it is doubly benefited rather than singularly).

The questions of the day are (at least for myself), if a relationship is not conducive to glorifying God, is it a relationship worth seeking? If the relationship is self satisfying is that a relationship worth seeking? If the relationship is "neutral" in its benefits, is that a relationship worth seeking? Can God use relationships to show something about himself?

Some of the answers should be obvious, and for those of you who don't believe in a God, or don't believe that God is perfect, I suppose some of these questions would change.

We all love relationship, that is a truth, we all need relationship. But what is a healthy relationship? Is God even a part of a healthy relationship, Is God the center of a healthy relationship?

(I really do try to make this a broader meaning of the term relationship, more than the "bf/gf" that we are so commonly used to)

I'm currently working on my God-Man relationship (not that I wont be working on it later, just that, I don't see how a girlfriend fits in this picture, at least not yet)