We were wired for community, not isolation. From the very beginning of time, God chose to create Adam and Eve in a way that would allow uninhibited, perfect fellowship between God and man (see Genesis 1-2). That fellowship was quickly broken because of sin (see Genesis 3) but God made a way for us to walk in a restored, communal relationship with him through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) tells us, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Because of his sacrifice, the veil in the temple that created separation between God and man was torn in two. Jesus was our Mediator (see 1 Timothy 2:5), our go-between, that allows for us to now have direct access to God the Father. What a gift of grace!

In addition to community with God and the gift of the Holy Spirit within us (see Romans 8:11), God also granted us the gift of community within his bride, the church. He has called us to walk in fellow community in a way that is unifying (1 Corinthians 1:10), patient (1 Thessalonians 5:14), filled with forgiveness (Colossians 3:13), and bears one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We do this by studying God’s word together, creating accountability, showing an interest in one another’s lives, meeting practical needs, and being unafraid to point one another back to biblical truth. 

Recently, I received a text from my friend Cynthia. “Does Wednesday happen to be a busy day for you? This is so random – but if you are going into the city super early, I’m wondering if I might catch a ride to the airport with you?” she said. My heart leapt with excitement! She was headed out on a three week trip and, for obvious reasons, didn’t want to leave her vehicle at the airport that long. I took a second to consider my morning that Wednesday and I realized if I shifted my normal workflow around, I wouldn’t have to get up any earlier in order to take her to the airport.

I packed a bag with everything I would need to do a workout closer to my office, rather than my normal at home workout, and decided I’d drop her off, head to the gym, and then get ready for the day. I’d get to hug her goodbye and still get my workout in for the day. A true win-win!

We’ve lost the art of needing people in our desire to move faster and take advantage of all modern technology offers us.

Later that day I reflected on my day and thought about how sweet it was to meet a very practical need for someone God’s placed in my inner circle. It’s a bit of a lost art, don’t you think? When my husband and I moved back to our town in Tennessee a few years ago, we were struck by how quickened the pace of life was and how convenient life had become. Previously, we had served at a church in the deep South in a town of about 12,000 people. DoorDash didn’t exist, it was a one grocery store town, and we had to drive over an hour to eat Chik-fil-A. While it was a rough adjustment when we first moved to town, there was a simplicity that just doesn’t exist in a larger town or city.

We’ve lost the art of needing people in our desire to move faster and take advantage of all modern technology offers us. If we have an early flight, we take an Uber instead of inconveniencing a friend or family member. If we’re sick, we DoorDash our favorite soup from Panera Bread instead of accepting a friend’s invitation to make homemade broth soup for us. If we forget something on our grocery list, we can just place a pick up order or pay someone else to go get it for us. We can even scan menus on our phones to order food at restaurants that allow us to have minimal interaction with a waiter. 
Now, hear me say that I’m extraordinarily grateful for the time that these modern conveniences have afforded us. However, it has become a spiritual discipline to need or be needed by others. It is an intentional choice to reach out to those God has placed in our path and offer to encourage, meet a practical need, or take someone to the airport. Let’s step out of our isolation and intentionally create a practice of community in our everyday lives. We will bless others and we will be blessed in return!