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To be so young, he was a fast swimmer! As he darted across the water in search of something to eat, he checked out anything floating. Grand-daughters Kaitlyn and Lauren tossed in bread while Nick grabbed a net. Rescue efforts abounded—but to no avail. He just kept swimming—always avoiding those who wanted to help him. As night approached, efforts intensified.

He was obviously tired and looking for a place to nest. He even tried to climb a retaining wall. but to no avail.  Finally, he disappeared in the weeds and underbrush. We were all heartbroken that we could not “save” him—envisioning the worst—imagining his being eaten by a snake or other critter.

Then morning arrived, and there he was—no longer alone! Mother Goose and his siblings had somehow found him! He contentedly swam along close to the others. We breathed a sigh of relief. He was safe! This little fellow had no doubt learned a valuable lesson—family and community are important to our very survival!

In the days since our country and our churches locked down because of the coronavirus, much has been written about the pervasiveness of loneliness. People need people just like geese need geese. When circumstances or choices cause us to be separated from our support system, we experience anxiety and depression. Substance abuse and suicides increase as we seek to cope. Rather than reaching out to God and to fellow believers, we sometimes self-medicate or fall in a pit of despair.

God did not intend for us to live alone. He put us in families—or flocks if you’re a duck or a goose. When Adam was created, he was lonely, and God made Eve. Later, they had children, and families and later communities formed.

The early church knew the importance of fellowship:  After Pentecost, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity–all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”( Acts 2:42-47 NLT)

As the ministry leader of Celebrate Recovery at Trading Ford Baptist Church, I have seen firsthand the importance of developing a strong support system. People struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups—whether grief, addiction, abuse, divorce, etc., or just plain loneliness—need other Christians in their lives. The Scriptures emphasize this:

^“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-26 NLT)

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT)

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are adopted into the family of God.  (Galatians 3:26 NLT) It then becomes very important that we become integral parts of a church–a community of believers–where we can minister to each other through our spiritual gifts. (Galatians 6:10 NLT)

Challenge: How about you? Feeling despondent and depressed? Spending too much time alone? Struggling with a hurt, habit, or hang-up? Reach out! Choose to attend your local church. Find a Celebrate Recovery ministry. We’d love to have you at Trading Ford. Spend time in the company of Christians who can help you spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Cry out to Jesus and ask him for direction. He is faithful!

Thanks for reading and sharing! Many blessings to my “family.”

 

 

 

(*Pictures compliments of Pixabay. They are similar to my own but clearer.)