We are better together and never alone. It wasn't until my relationship with Christ did I understand the meaning of community. For the most part, I grew up only relying on myself which led me to dark places that I couldn't come out of myself. Here is why we are better together:
1. We were never meant to do life alone.
After Adam was created, God created Eve as a helper to Adam. We were created to do life together as Acts chapter 2 shows that the community ate together, prayed together, and lived together.
2. Community is an example of God wanting a relationship with us.
He sent his one and only son to die on the cross for us so that we too could be in relation with him. If that isn't ultimate love to you than I don't know what is.
3. When you have friends lifting you up, you never stay down.
It's those times when you're alone that your thoughts take you captive and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel when you desperately need a friend or friends to get you back up. Community is there to be the ones who speak the truth when all you hear are the lies.
4. "And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there." - Matthew 18:20
As we gather in the pain, joy, laugher, our God is there feeling each emotion with us. Through community, we know we are not alone and that we are loved. Surround yourself with people that will not only be there for the good and fun times but for when times get rough. Community should always be the ones that we go to when we go into those dark places our minds are us.
5. We were meant to all make up the body of Christ.
Each of us were made with unique personalities. We all were given distinct gifts and passions. These very things are what help to make up the body of Christ. We can't have two left arms or two right legs. The body just doesn't work that way in the same sense that two exact people do not bring anything more to help the body of Christ. Therefore our distinct characteristics are what are used in growing the kingdom.
6. What greater place is there than a community that accepts you for you?
Find a community that instead of shunning your weird personality, will be there to act weird with you. Find a community that will love how loud and obnoxious you are (or that's just me). Find a community of friends that will not only laugh and have a good time with you but will also be there when mourning the loss of a loved one. Find a community that is never ending.
Overall, God never promised it would be easy but he also doesn't leave us to do life completely alone. It's those times where we feel unworthy and unloved that may even have us believing we should take our own lives and it is in those exact moments where you need Community to rebuke the lies that are told and be reassured with the truth of Christ.
We are better off together because we serve a God that has built us to have relationships. We long to be in relation not only with God and a spouse but in friendships. We long for a sense of belonging which is why finding a community is key to not doing life alone.
“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
– 1 John 4:12
