Great men are very focused in their relationships. They draw a line in the sand, and not everybody can cross that line. If you want to build a strong family, business, ministry, or any other enterprise, you have to adopt this paradigm.

This is why I don’t hang out with certain people. I don’t take calls indiscriminately. Some folks may not be happy about that; but, to tell the truth, I can’t relate with everybody. I relate with people strictly through the prism of my principles and mission; outside of that, I don’t keep other relationships. That’s focus! That’s the pattern of great men! Every great man that has walked this planet walked with this paradigm. During one of our home church meetings, one of us said, ‘I don’t make friends carelessly.’ That’s one of the things I’m really glad about the people who are a part of my family; they don’t connect indiscriminately.

Let’s take a look at Jesus’ attitude towards His relationships. Jesus is our model. He walked on earth to show us how to live our lives. The Bible says:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…”
~Hebrews 12:2(KJV)

As a child of God, you are to observe Jesus’ approach to life and copy Him.

On a particular occasion, Jesus said the following to His disciples:

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me…”
~Luke 22: 28-29

Basically, Jesus was telling his disciples, “You have stood with me in my trials; you have believed in me; you have walked with me; you have supported me; you have participated in doing my father’s will; and because you stood with me, I am conferring on you a kingdom. I am sharing my reward, blessings, treasures, and most valuable assets with you; because you believed in me.

So we see in the Scriptures, that Jesus was very focused in terms of his relationships. Jesus didn’t befriend everybody; He didn’t make everyone a part of his family. This might shock you — Jesus was selective even in his prayers:

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
~John 17:9

Jesus didn’t beat about the bush; He was focused in His relationships. He regarded only those who were committed to His father’s will as family:

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? Pointing to His disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
~Matthew12:46-50

How focused are you in your relationships? That’s food for thought!