Does it ever feel we live alone? Many of us now can work remotely. We can do things digitally. We often don’t even need to speak to anyone to conduct business!
Ask anyone in mental health: what is the number one key to happiness?
Human connection.
Positive human connection.
As believers that idea shouldn’t shock us. In Genesis 2:18, God declared, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper for him.”
In Proverbs 21:9 He states that it is better to have good relationships than to be wealthy. (” Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”)
In Ecclesiastes 4:10 He acknowledges we all need help from time to time. (“If either of them fall down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”)
God designed us to be social creatures. He created us to love and want to be loved. He knew we needed affection, encouragement and laughs with someone wearing skin.
When we have a strain in our relationship, He knew we would better understand His command, that as much as it’s possible, to be at peace with one another. Because we can’t stand strife. That’s how He created us.
God knew when He created us He was inserting a giant dose of hunger for people connection inside each of us. That community connection isn’t to replace our closeness to God, but to compliment it. As we each walk our journey with God, drawing closer to Him through doing life together, we can also encourage each other in our faith. We can witness for Him
We can gently remind each other of His Word, His promises, His Love.
We can reflect His care and compassion to His children.
How about you and me? Do we always make time for our people? Or do we get distracted by deadlines, due dates and dirty dishes?
It’s vital to our well-being to prioritize our personal time with God. It’s also imperative to cherish our time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
To take pleasure in human connection. Because that’s how He created us.
If you, like me, struggle with sometimes finding space for human connection, will you join me in asking for His help? He knows our hearts. He understands our hesitations. And He wants to bless us with the gift of community. Let’s ask Him for just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know where my heart is. You know my hesitation, the hurts from my past which hinder the present. Yet I know You created me for community. Help me bless others by choosing to be present in their lives and sharing mine with them. Help me reflect You and Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.