CREATED FOR COMMUNITY
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and He brought her to the man. "At last!" the man exclaimed. "This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called 'woman,' because she was taken from 'man.'" This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
Genesis 2:18-24 (NLT)
It's a common misconception that the first thing ever proclaimed to be not good is found in Genesis 3. It's there that we see Adam and Eve disobey God, break fellowship with Him, and ultimately introduce sin and death to humanity. Certainly not good, but not the first thing deemed so.
It's in Genesis 2:18 that we first see something proclaimed to be not good. This starkly contrasts with God declaring after every day of creation that everything He beheld was good. But it's here that we see Adam's isolation acknowledged. While he's surrounded by animals that he got to name, there's no one like him. He lacks community and companionship. So, God intervenes and creates Eve.
You are created for community and companionship. Think about this—solitary confinement is one of the most extreme forms of punishment that we see in prisons. And yet, so much of the time, we self-isolate, believing that we're better off alone. The stark reality is you’re not. God Himself said so.
It must be noted that, of course, Adam and Eve were more than just companions. If you're married, then hopefully, your spouse is your most cherished companion, the one with whom you share all the ups and downs of life. But even if you're not married (and maybe never plan to be), you’re still created for community. I encourage you to pursue intentional relationships that will encourage you in your walk with Christ.
APPLICATION: In what ways are you isolated or alone? Who are you sharing your life with? Who speaks into your blind spots? Who can you confide in when you're struggling? Ask God to help you take a step into a Christ-centered community.
PRAYER: God, thank You for the gift of community. Thank You for those that You've placed in my life. Help me to love as You love and live as Your Spirit directs. In Jesus' name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?