"Relish life with the spouse you love. Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one!" Ecclesiastes 9:9 (MSG)

Living God’s dream means living in close relationships. There’s nothing more precious than spending time with those we love. From time to time we should review what’s really important in our lives and rethink how we spend our time. It’s what life is all about—meaningful relationships.

Solomon observed the importance of friendships (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Paul recognized the importance of marriage (Ephesians 5:22). God created people to be in relationship with Him and in relationships with one another. Friends who work on a task can rejoice together in its accomplishment. Spouses rejoice in their children. Friends can help each other—if one should fall, the other is there to help her up. Those who have both a strong relationship with God and strong friendships with other believers will have bonds that strengthen life’s joys and limit life’s sorrows. Friendships among believers are precious, for they have the bond of Christ and eternity. We should both find good friends and be good friends.

Ask yourself this one question: In light of eternity, how am I spending my time?

• Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
• Monday: I Peter 1:22
• Tuesday: Romans 13:10
• Wednesday: I John 1:3,7
• Thursday: Ephesians 5:2, 19, 30
• Friday: Colossians 2:2
• Saturday: Psalm 55:14
• Sunday: Romans 15:5-7