Recently, I dropped by to check my children in school; it was their “Visiting Day”. After interacting with the class teacher and checking their work, I asked, “who are the children sitting next to her. Who does she relate with the most?” She pointed them out for me to see and interact with. I wanted to know who is influencing my children.

Friend, one of the secrets of health and progress is the right choice of relationships. It is worthy of note that the portraits of the blessed man included his relationships; “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalms 1:1).

Friendship is by choice, not by force; you choose your friends, your friends do not choose you. Don’t forget that you would be the same person you are today in the next five years except for three things; the books you read (information), the friends you keep (association) and the impartation you receive.

You would notice that Psalms 1:1 began with “walking to standing, then sitting.” The truth is, relationships, right or wrong, would take you farther than you bargained for. You only wanted to have someone to talk to, but now you are doing exactly what the person is doing. Lot pitched his tent near Sodom, but when the angel of destruction came, he was already inside Sodom (Genesis 13:12, 19:1).

You don’t choose your destination; you choose your association and your association determines your destination. Show me your friend and I would tell you your end. When you know where you are going, you should be intentional about who you take along. Some people don’t belong in your vision; be friendly with them but learn to put them where they belong.

Relationships carry spirits; something rubs off on you in every relationship (Proverbs 13:20). You cannot hope to be an excellent person while you keep company with mediocres. How do you hope to take your walk with the Lord to the next level when your best friends are allergic to spiritual activities (1 Corinthians 15:33)? Be intentional and strategic about your relationships. You will succeed!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria