“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” Colossians 3:18-4:1

Lord Jesus, I often live my life without a view toward my relationship with you. I know that’s the way that I should be living my life, but I often think about the relationships that I’m in and the position that I have in those relationships and act accordingly. I see myself as a boss or an employee, a head or a helper, a parent or a child. I live in those relationships and try to assert myself appropriately within those relationships. Help me today, dear Jesus, to view every relationship through the lens of my relationship with you. Help me live with my husband/wife with my relationship with you in mind. Help me to raise my children with eternity in mind. Help me to go to work today and work hard as if I am working for you-because I am! My whole life I am truly working for you, not for people. In all of my relationships today, dear Jesus, help me to keep you and my relationship with you in view so that I might honor you and love the people with whom I live and work. Amen.

Christians are to live within every relationship with a view towards their relationship with their God in heaven. This changes the way we live with other people.