Growing up I can remember spending evenings as a family at other people's homes "visiting." At the time, I couldn't think of anything more boring.
Usually, we had to eat someone else's strange cooking (in other words, not the way I was used to my mom making it), and then we would sit around for hours talking. As a kid, these nights seemed to drag on forever.
Our Culture Doesn't Make Time to "Visit"
Today, our culture is filled with text messages, screen time, and quick encounters. Spending genuine time together with other people isn't extinct, but it definitely isn't as common as it used to be. Lives seem to be busier, noisier, and more chaotic. Just sitting and talking with people isn't as valued.
But it should be. Why? Because people matter.
Relationships Reflect Value
Think about it, most likely, some of the best memories you have are when you spent quality time with someone or a group of people.
Looking back on my life, my most cherished memories are camping with friends, traveling with people, or having an in-depth conversation with someone.
This shouldn't surprise us though, because God created us to be relational. God himself is a relational God. He values personal connection so much that created us to be in a relationship with Him and with each other.
These relationships only happen when we find value in other people.
Each of us has been purposefully created by God. We all have our own unique gifts, abilities, and talents. We have different personalities. We each contribute to the kingdom of God in our own way. God designed us each with an intrinsic value.
We matter to God, therefore we should matter to each other.
We Make Each Other Better
God created us to encourage one another, to lift each other, to rejoice with each other, and when necessary to mourn with one another. We can push each other to be better and hold each other accountable. We can share new ideas and gracefully debate differing opinions.
Most importantly, we can love one another. Every one of us longs to be loved unconditionally. We find this in the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and we are called to love each other in the same way.
Do You Live Like People Matter?
Think about the way you live this out in your life. Consider how you are teaching your children to value others. Does your life show evidence that people matter to you? Are you someone who seeks out quality time with people, or do you gravitate toward quick encounters? Do your kids know that you value them by the amount of time you spend with them? Do they see you valuing and caring for other people?
People matter. How we live our lives shows just how much we value others. In a world that is filled with distance, screens, and shallow relationships, not to mention tension, strife, aggression, and anger, our kids need to learn the value of themselves and other people. They need us as parents to show them what it looks like to value others.
Make a Visit
People matter. They matter to God and they should matter to us. When is the last time your family spent quality time "visiting" with another family or couple? It may seem like a boring experience at the time, but experiences like this teach our kids so much.
They need to know that people matter.