Do you remember the story of Abraham and his nephew Lot as recorded in Genesis 13? Therein lays the power of vertical association at work. There are three ways in which we could associate with people. Moreover, there are also three classes of people we could sometimes associate with, people of higher class in terms of power, blessing and influence. Secondly, we could also network with our friends on the same level. The third form of association is with people on the lower rungs of the ladder of life relative to your position.

Granted, every level of association has its relative importance, but this part dwells on the inherent benefits of vertical association. Lot, by virtue of the fact that he was traveling with the patriarch, Abraham became rich too. In other words, lot achieved results and joy in his life rather effortlessly because his uncle Abraham, an epitome of blessing, gave him a piggy back. Let’s stand this truth on it sides; if Abraham were a cursed man, it follows that the realm of results and joy would have been sensed results but reaching it would have been as elusive as the search for the Holy Grail without the support of Abraham. He may have longed for joy in his life and yet live a life devoid of it. Can you now appreciate the dichotomous power of association?

At this point, if you are asking this question: how would my association with people help me achieve results and joy? Then you got my drift. The people that you associate with could either make or may you. This next line may astonish you; where you would be in the next five years is a function of the book you read says David McClelland of Harvard University. God has a lot of good tidings in stock for us so we do not have to settle for less through wrong and unprofitable association.

We have seen the three levels of association possible with fellow beings and their benefits. Yet, this part would not be complete without adding the fact that there is a greater form of vertical association primed with limitless potential. Can you guess the major stakeholder of this association? Your guess is as good as mine if the almighty God is at the back of your mind. Figure this out for yourself: if you could have a facilitated trip to that realm where achieving results and joy becomes easy, imagine the immense benefit accruable when you associate with God. This means that the chances of achieving results and joy increases geometrically. Do not skip to the next part until you have taken the importance of the next sentence fully on board: to enable us tap into plenitude of God’s magnanimity, then.

Drop off the evil triplet of hatred, bitterness and criticism. See first John 2 verse 9.

Drop the baggage of a closed ear. Be responsive to the needs of other people around you.