You Are Meant for Community, Not Isolation
By Keneesha Saunders- Liddie
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
When I was a little girl, I went to my Sunday school’s annual picnic. We were at the beach and I loved the water, even though to this day I can’t swim. After getting permission from my mom to go into the water, I decided to walk as far out as I could go. I was enjoying the water up to my neck when all of a sudden, I realized that I had somehow stepped into a hole of some sort. My foot wasn’t finding the bottom of the sandy ground.
Time stood still, my body went numb. The water was covering my lips and I was sinking. Then, out of nowhere, I felt someone grab my hand and pulled me out of the sinkhole. My feet were on solid, albeit sandy, ground again.
My friend, without even realizing what she had done, rescued me. We got some goggles and looked from afar at the hole. I didn’t go back in for the rest of the day.
Two Are Better Than One
There are so many reasons why we choose to isolate ourselves from friends, family, and our community, but I am here to remind you that two is better than one.
As an adult, attending women's retreats and fellowship events is so uplifting to me. When I am around older women who share my faith and I listen to their testimonies and stories, I stand amazed at my God. There are those who forsake this fellowship for various reasons, but it is always best to have someone in your corner.
We need community because we are sinners. We are all prone to sin and make mistakes, and this is where community comes in. Today it may be my turn and tomorrow it may be yours, but once we have an arena where fellowship can abide without discrimination and bias that is all we need.
We need community because we are lonely. Praying one for another is how we can combat loneliness. Do you know of anyone in the need of prayer right now? Why don’t you give them a call, I’m sure that at some time in the future when they hear of a struggle you are facing that they will call and pray for you too. The start of a prayer partnership can be established and developed.
We need community because we need encouragement. There are times when we have to encourage ourselves in the Lord but there are situations when we need encouragement from others. Our key verse reminds us that there is much benefit to be had when two people work together. Since we are Christ laborers let us work together for the advancement of his kingdom.
As women we have a choice, we can either fall and remain there without anyone to help us up, or we can fall and be helped immediately and do the same for others. We are meant for community not isolation.
At the end do you want to go to Jesus alone or do you want to bring others with you?
At the end do you want to have lived selfishly or generously?
Would you want to be known for being helpful or refusing to help?
Keneesha Saunders-Liddie is a writer, avid reader and Jesus lover. She recently started a blog to encourage women to show Christian love to others and to share biblical counsel with anyone who needs it. She firmly believes that the bible has the answers to everything that pertains to life. She is a wife, mother and student. You can connect with her on Facebook and Pinterest.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Originally published Tuesday, 18 October 2022.
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