The Relationship Wheel by Steven Vongchanh

I find it odd that I have a handful of people that ask me for relationship advice. I feel often that I am not qualified for such advice because I am single. I am reminded however, that maybe the best advice is given from someone who has failed, yet has picked themselves back up again. As I look back on this relationship series, having a firm understanding of what Good Orderly Direction is, or understanding of GOD, and being independent and self-reliant can cause a person to seek relationship or community as they seek to fulfill God's purpose in their lives. There is an emptiness we all have and a strong community can help fill that void. As we prepare ourselves to have relationship with others, the best question is, what does that look like?


Through my studies and research I have come a cross two images that best describe healthy G.O.D. relationships. And I would like to paint those two pictures for you in the next two post.


Can you remember learning to ride a bike? I believe one of the greatest pictures most of us can relate to is that moment of independently riding a bike with no training wheels. Some of us were blessed with a parent or parents who stood beside us as they held us up and slowly pushed us away. And as we pedaled away, we did so on our own. Can you imagine what God feels when we learn to follow his Good Orderly Direction on our own? Some of us saw friends on bikes and we wanted to be with riding with them. So we picked up or borrowed a bike and just jumped on and rode with them. Some of us never had a bike and our first encounter was seeing one, wanting it, and taking it. And for some of the sad folks out there, have never rode one. Its okay, this image of relationship building will provide all of us an opportunity to ride a "relationship bike."


Bikes all have a frame, handle bars, a seat, a chain and two wheels. You provide force to move the chain, in most cases this is a pedal, and the chain moves and spins a wheel held in place by an axel. This creation of a bicycle is an amazing engineered machine. The wheel has a center, that being an axel. Going forth from the axel are spokes. Those spokes hold in place a rim that the tire sits on. And that tire is what makes contact on the ground. Imagine if you will, that the axel is you. And each of the spokes going out from you are your relationships. How many spokes do you have? Are some spokes closer to you than others? And the big question is, are these spokes connected in anyway to support a tire?


The tire is what is our connection to the world, our influence. We have an opportunity to influence others who in turn, influence the world around them. And we are spokes in other peoples wheels. How are we at supporting or pushing away the world in protecting the person at its center? If we take this image of a relationship wheel, we have a great blueprint to surround ourselves with a great community. I know for myself, I can do a better job creating a rim and allowing the spokes in my life or people in my life an opportunity to meet the other spokes/people in my wheel. How can we coalesce and bring together each other and make our wheels and relationships stronger?


Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.
​ Ephesians 4:2-3


I pray that we all take time to seek an opportunity to strengthen our relationship bonds and unity all around us. I love you all and look forward to the next time we meet. May God be with you till we meet again.

Additional Scriptures for study
Proverbs 13:20
John 15:13
Hebrews 10:24-25
​Proverbs 18:24