READ HOSEA 2:1-23
According to Cavett Robert, "fifteen percent of the reason [people] get a job, keep that job and move ahead in that job, is determined by [their] technical skill and knowledge-regardless of their profession . . . What about the other 85 percent? Cavett quotes Stanford Research Institute, Harvard University and the Carnegie Foundation as having proved that 85 percent of the reason people get a job, keep that job, and move ahead in that job has to do with [their] people skills and people knowledge."*
That's impressive information. It underlines the importance of human relationships to our work. And if human relationships play such an important role at work, they're crucial to our role as leaders. After all, leadership is about people in relationships.
Sometimes strengthening those relationships requires both the grace of God and a deep reservoir of love. That was certainly the case with Hosea. As a prophet to Israel, Hosea's job was to predict the nation's exile and later restoration. In order to illustrate God's love for the nation, he was commanded to marry Gomer, a prostitute. Hosea did so, but his heart was broken when she proved unfaithful and eventually left him. Later, Hosea sought out an emotionally broken and financially destitute Gomer, forgave her and renewed their marriage relationship.
Hosea's love for Gomer serves as a picture of God's love for his unfaithful people. And it serves as an example for us to follow. At times, every leader is called upon by God to seek out, forgive and restore those who have wronged him or her. Such actions do indeed require both the grace and love of God.
How do you think Hosea felt when he learned that God wanted him to reconcile with his wife? Why did he do it? What relationship in your life has required such love? When God again calls on you to seek reconciliation with someone who has hurt you, how will you respond? Remember, great leaders are well acquainted with forgiveness.
Interpersonal Relationships and Who God Is
The Bible is all about relationships. God is a personal being who has paid a great price to make it possible for us to enter a relationship with him through the merits of Jesus Christ. He wants this relationship, in turn, to be made visible in our relationships with others. Turn to 1 John 4:7-21 to read more about the vertical and horizontal expressions of God's love.
Interpersonal Relationships and Who I Am
"I may not have much money, but I'm filthy rich in relationships." The person who said this had his priorities in order, because he understood the true value of things on this earth. There is an enormous difference between loving things and using people and loving people and using things. Turn to 1 Kings 19:19-21 to witness the beginning of a mentoring relationship.
Interpersonal Relationships and How They Work
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 is a key leadership passage on interpersonal relationships. It demonstrates and highlights the principles we've been studying all week. And it's a refreshing reminder of the power of relationships, especially in the context of the competitive culture in which we live. Turn to Ecclesiastes 4:9 to find out exactly why "two are better than one".
Interpersonal Relationships and What I Do
Savvy leaders understand that the better their relationships with followers, the more effective their leadership. A man who worked at relationships was Barnabas. Two men in the New Testament, both better known than Barnabas, owe their success at least in part to the mentoring relationship they had with him. Read his story beginning at Acts 4:36, and discover the power of a mentoring relationship.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up . . . Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
