“Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, ‘For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?’ This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'” Genesis 2:18
“For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. ” Romans 14:7
“Alone is alone, not alive.” (Stephen Sondheim, Broadway composer 1930-2021)
Alone, we are sinners. Alone, we rebel. Alone, we get selfish. Alone, we can so easily be master and doubt God’s goodness. Alone, we are lost, dead in our transgressions. Only because Jesus entered into our aloneness can we live, move, and have our being. Only He makes us alive. (Acts 17:28; Ephesians 2:1-5)
Alone, we cannot sharpen iron with iron. Alone, we are not held accountable. Alone, we cannot be borne up and share burdens. We need each other to refine and be refined, to encourage and admonish, to counsel and be counseled, to confess our weaknesses and practice forgiving, to spur and be spurred on to love and good deeds. (Proverbs 27:17; Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14; Hebrews 10:24-25)
And in times when there are no people around, in Christ we are never alone. We have as our best companion and prayer partner, comforter and counselor and paraclete, the indwelling Holy Spirit with us always. We can talk with Him and be sure of His near presence. He knows our thoughts before we think them, understands us fully, is a trustworthy confidante, and loves us infinitely. (Psalm 139:1-4; John 14:16-17; 16:13-14; Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 13:5b)
Am I trying to live alone, afraid of being known, ashamed of past wrongs, keeping distant from people who would love and help me? Am I afraid to admit others in to my well-ordered life, fearful of being disrupted, demanded of, drained? What might I be missing in enrichment, refinement, and friendship by choosing a solitary life?
To whom can I reach out to extend the kindness of welcome? Who is isolated that will not initiate, and needs my loving intrusion? What can I do to develop friendships so they are more meaningful and bear significant, spiritual fruit and joy to the Lord? How can I bless another today with interest, concern, companionship, help?
Lord, out of gratitude for Your calling me to be Your forever friend, help me me a good and loyal friend who brings life, meaning, and joy to others, and glory to You. (John 15:8-15)
As the rain and snow 