Among the many things that I enjoy doing with my husband, one of my favorites and top of the list is going to church together. We’ve been going to Parkcrest Christian Church together since 2006 (a few months after we started dating) and it’s a connection we share that has become a very important part of our relationship. The last few weeks though we haven’t been able to go to church because we’ve been out of town or my husband has had to work, and I realized that I was starting to miss going very much. So last Sunday I decided that I would go with our 6 month old and see how things went, and so far it’s worked out really well to go to the first service at 8:30am because Celeste has a full tummy and enjoys her time at our church day care while I enjoy the service.

I have to admit, as I sat there last Sunday, I missed having my husband sitting next to me and listening to God’s word together. Then I heard the new series they were beginning was titled Making Relatioships Work and I couldn’t help but smile, because really, who doesn’t have someone in their life that they struggle with in their relationship, whether it’s a family member, co-worker, friend, or partner?

Today’s message was Be Less, which touched on our need to be right and changing that need to genuine interest instead.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Phillippians 2

Oh I almost don’t want to admit this, but yes, I know I have definitely been in that place…the need to be right or to share my experience or what I think I know. Ouch. God has such a way of reminding me to be humble, and I especially thought of one relationship in particular where I could be less, set aside my need to be right, and make it more about the other person, and make room for genuine interest.

Our Pastor was sharing with us how important it is to express genuine interest in the things those we care about are interested in. Because it feels nice to have someone genuinely interested in what you do.

And our Pastor gave us a challenge.

This week, think of that person that you have a relationship with and maybe feel anxiety or tension in interacting with them, and rather than thinking about being right or getting your way, be interested in them and in their story. We will find that the more we practice this, over time our attitude with that person will change. It’s a lot easier to be interested in those we have a good relationship with and fun to sit back and listen, however, God wants us to go beyond that which is gratifying to us and open our hearts to growth and humility.