In today’s BYU-Idaho devotional address to students, Andy Johnson highlighted how relationships are a key part of life. He said it’s important for people choose to keep the best relationships in their life, while getting rid of those relationships that take them away from Jesus Christ. Those could include relationships with entertainment or hobbies.
“I invite you to consider today who or what is in your life that is good, and who or what you may want to separate from," Johnson said. "I have used the phrase ‘who or what is in your life,’ because relationships aren’t just with people. There are also the things and habits we choose to let influence us.”
Johnson is the Architecture and Construction Management Services Director at BYU-Idaho. In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Johnson explained which relationships people should prioritize.
“When we have to work through something, that’s when we have to dig in,” Johnson said. “Which relationships are worth that time and effort? The family relationships are. The relationship with our Savior, it’s worth the struggle.”
In determining which relationships to keep or disregard, Johnson shared the words of President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Think too of President Nelson when he’s talking about how today, you’re going to need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost,” Johnson said. “If there’s a relationship that’s not helping you to feel that, just get rid of that relationship.”
Johnson concluded his devotional address with a plea to focus on the relationships that matter most.
“Let us work hard to be part of the relationships we love, have the courage to shed the relationships that are not improving our lives, and let us be diligent in building a relationship with God that will keep us on the path back home to him,” Johnson said.