The Power of Relationship
We all want success in life. Maybe for you, success looks like building a prosperous business. Maybe it’s living debt-free, quitting a bad habit, or fulfilling dreams of marriage and family.
The truth is, it’s much easier to dream about a better life than to actually succeed at making it happen. In fact, studies show that only about 25% of people achieve what they set out to do. So why don’t we see more success? What’s holding us back?
I believe there is one key factor that has the power to either strengthen or destroy our ability to succeed: relationships.
There are three essential realms of relationships: how we relate to God (and how we believe God relates to us), our relationship with ourselves, and our relationships with others.
To help visualize how these work together, imagine an apple.
An apple has three parts: a core, a flesh, and a skin. Each part is connected and dependent on the others. Without a strong core, the flesh and skin won’t grow properly. Without healthy flesh, the skin has nothing to cover or protect. In the same way, your relationship with God, yourself, and others are deeply intertwined—and they all play a critical role in your life’s success.
Let's break it down:
First, take Moses. Moses had an incredible and unique relationship with God. He spoke with God directly—something no one else experienced at that time. Moses knew that God loved him, which gave him the courage to express everything he felt: gratitude, fear, frustration, hope. He understood that God was always near, and he believed with all his heart that anything was possible through God's power.
Moses' connection to God represents the core of the apple. Just as the core connects an apple to the tree and gives it life, Moses’ deep connection with God gave him strength, direction, and purpose. Without a strong core, the apple cannot survive—and without a strong relationship with God, neither can we thrive.
Next, think about David. David was the youngest of his brothers, overlooked and underestimated. Yet God called him a leader and a warrior. As David's relationship with God deepened, he began to see himself through God's eyes. Despite his sins and failures, David never let go of the truth that he was loved, chosen, and valuable.
David represents the flesh of the apple. Just as the flesh is the nourishing, sweet part of the fruit, your relationship with yourself—the way you see and value yourself—feeds your growth. When you view yourself through the lens of God's love, you build resilience, confidence, and strength.
Finally, there’s Jesus. Jesus perfectly modeled how to relate to others. He was so connected to the Father that He said, “When you see me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:8–9). Because Jesus knew exactly who He was, He wasn't swayed by people's criticisms or doubts. His love, peace, and power flowed outward, touching and transforming every person He met.
Jesus represents the skin of the apple. The skin protects and displays the apple's goodness to the world. In the same way, when your connection to God is strong and you view yourself rightly, your life naturally overflows with love, grace, and power into your relationships with others. You become a visible reflection of God's goodness to the world.
When these three areas—your connection with God, your view of yourself, and your interactions with others—are healthy and whole, you position yourself for true success.
People will be drawn to you. They’ll want to be near you, to help you, to support you—and even to be inspired by you. And if you ask me, having that kind of impact in the world is the true meaning of success.
