Yes. More than you think.
One decision that changed history
In the book of Ruth, Naomi has lost her husband and both of her sons, and she decides to move back home. Her two daughters-in-law have a choice to make. "Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi" (Ruth 1:14 NLT).
We never hear another word about Orpah. But Ruth is still being talked about thousands of years later because of the relationship she prioritized. She later marries Boaz, and they become the great-grandparents of King David, the greatest king in Israel's history. And David's family line is the one Jesus comes from. Talk about a relationship that changed the course of history.
Who your friends are, who you let influence your life and who you marry are all huge decisions with massive consequences. I could tell you story after story of people whose lives were completely changed by one relationship. For some, it led to their downfall. For others, it changed their lives for the better.
Often when God wants to change your life, He sends you a person. And often when Satan wants to destroy your life, he sends you a person. Relationships have the ability to set you on the right course or push you off course. "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Proverbs 13:20 ESV).
Let people in, and actually listen
Ruth let Naomi coach and guide her in her relationship with Boaz (Ruth 3). Big decisions are too important to make without the advice, wisdom and insight of others. Those who love you most should be listened to the loudest.
Think about it: almost every regret you have, you were at the center of. You thought about it, you planned it and you talked yourself into it. We're experts at talking ourselves into bad ideas. When I was 16, I'd just gotten a convertible, and I had the idea that my friends and I should drive around throwing water balloons at people and cars. After a couple of hours of terrorizing half of St. Peters, I got pulled over. Then I convinced myself it was a good idea to mouth off to the police officer. I ended up getting arrested and my car got impounded.
You have blind spots
The other day I was driving on the interstate, about to merge onto a different highway. I didn't see a car, and as I got over, they honked at me. So I flipped them off. Just kidding. I got back in my lane, waved and thanked them. Why? Because I had a blind spot, and my path was leading me into an accident. Someone with a different vantage point saw the collision coming and warned me.
You might be thinking, "I don't need anyone telling me how to live." But you can't see your own blind spots. That's what makes them blind spots. So here's my question: Who do you trust with your blind spots? Who has the right to honk at you, so you simply adjust your path because you trust their perspective?
Scripture: Ruth 1:14–16; 3:1–5; 4:13–17; Proverbs 13:20; 27:17