The other day, I overheard my daughter mutter, “You are not my friend, I don’t care.” I guess it was a phrase from one of her classmates. I quickly cut in: “Learn to accommodate people. Never tell anyone you don’t care. You don’t need everyone as friends, but be friendly. Learn to build bridges, not walls.” She got the message.
Friend, learn to build bridges and not walls (Proverbs 18:24). Bridges connect you to your next level. They are structures you build to avoid getting stranded. Some people erect walls instead (Judges 18:28). They build barriers between them and people so they get stranded in life.
God created us differently, so learn to accommodate people (Psalms 139:14). Not everyone will agree with you. Maturity is being able to manage disagreement, especially on non-essentials (Galatians 2:11-14, 2 Peter 3:15-16).
In marriage, compatibility is not about similarities that attract but about differences that complement (Genesis 2:18). Your spouse would be different from you. In fact, don’t marry someone exactly like you. If you do, your home will be boring or tense.
Recognize God’s wisdom in joining you with people who would be different from you in order to complement and complete you (1 Chronicles 19:12). If you keep erecting walls between you and people, you would be missing vital contributions that could have made you better.
Learn to appreciate and celebrate other people’s differences. It is one major skill in destiny. Like Joseph, not everyone from your past fits your future, but some are critical. If you don’t build bridges, you will miss it (Genesis 41:9-14). How would you know who is relevant? Build bridges!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria