Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (II John 12 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Fellowship
When God told Adam that, “It is not good that the man should be alone;” (Genesis 2:18 ESV) God was certainly talking about marriage. But God was not only talking about Adam and the Eve to come.
He was talking about humankind.
Perhaps God could have created us all on our own planet… or at least placed each of us on our own islands. But we were created to be in community. Whether we are introverts or extroverts, we need others. Whether we are people-people or not, we need others. Whether we like our own space, or prefer crowds, we need others.
In fact, other people are a good next step after fear.
Companionship heals. Fellowship completes us. The Church is how God blesses us.
Perhaps this is a part of being created in God’s image. God is never alone. God is trinity. And God, when creating the universe, capped that creation with beings. And then immediately had relationship with those beings.
Too much time alone breeds sullenness. Too much time alone leads to self-pity or self-centeredness. Too much time alone shrinks our world, our knowledge, and our well-being.
And do not forget, Christ’s summary of the law requires us to BE with others. We can not love if we are alone.
Fear not, then fellowship.