Believe, believe in me

I have been watching a lot of One Tree Hill recently, and one of the features of the show is the voice-over by the character called Lucas Scott. His reflections on life enhance the drama of the show, and it always ends with something he's learned about life. Usually it's a fact that can apply to anyone.

Now I don't agree with everything that goes on in the show, but it seems to me to have more substance than most of the other teen dramas out there. I think I am particularly drawn to the couple Hayley and Nathan, who were married in their teens and have a kid in their last year of high school. The awesome thing about this couple is that they always stay together, no matter what they go through.

I think one thing that Tree Hill gets right in terms of living life is that the show is centred around relationships. There's a strong moral that if you don't have real friends and/or a real relationship, then life isn't going to be good. Relationships bring meaning to life, and are the reason for life.

I think that life is about relationships. Number 1, first and foremost, is our relationship with God. Every other relationship must stem from our understanding of God and His relationship with us. Second is our relationship to other people. God created us for relationship with each other, and I am learning that God wants us to treat people in certain ways. God wants us to spend effort and time on people. It's soooo easy to spend time on ourselves. But there is infinitely more to gain from spending time with other people, ministering to them, encouraging them, just hanging with them!

I think sometimes I have weird relationships with people. I feel discontent with my friendships. Like, I find it really hard to talk to people who are older than me who I respect. Or guys. And I think that a lot of the time I put up boundaries, so it takes a long time for people to get to know me and how I think. And a lot of what makes me me are my beliefs and attitudes, which are under the surface of this blonde head. Which can make me hard to understand. At least, in my perception anyway. Maybe everyone thinks they're weird in some way. And I think also, that I am more self-conscious than I realise, and sometimes I'll squash my real self because I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself in front of people that I don't want to lose face to.

I always keep myself in check by reminding myself that One Tree Hill, the OC, Twilight - they're all pre-scripted dramas in which peoples' lives are mapped out - and that doesn't happen in reality. You won't have the perfect situation, with the perfect people, and say the perfect thing. This is life, and it isn't perfect. If you realise this, then I think it's easier to remain content, instead of thinking, 'Why don't I have the same relationships with people as Brooke, Hayley and Lucas have?' I know that godliness with contentment is great gain.

Phil 4:12-13: ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.'

Thank God for Jesus who restores our relationship with God and each other.