Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
It is written plainly in the Bible we were NOT meant to do life alone. If we isolate ourselves from the rest of the world we leave ourselves vulnerable for the enemy to attack. The enemy is like any natural predator, seeking out the prey that has isolated itself from the pack. Someone who has disconnected from community that's when the enemy does his worst in our lives.
What we do not realize when we isolate ourselves is that everyone else on Earth has made mistakes, messed up, or fallen short of God's glory. “We all are. That’s the irony of it. Why do we think others live carefree, self-assured lives while we slink around in the messy middle? Doubt is universal; read the Bible. Life is plagued with regret, confusion, uncertainty, and colossal failures. Scratch just beneath the surface and you’ll find humanity in all of us. If we could believe we are deeply connected in the fragile places, we could drop the games. When you tell me the truth about yourself, I no longer hide from you. You become safe for me. So guess what? You are now a recipient of my truth too. I am drawn to you. Your vulnerability makes a path for my own. Your truth-telling says to me, “I will not despise, judge, or abandon you.” Ironically, it gives me the courage to be afraid, the strength to be weak. What keeps you from telling the truth? I’m guessing shame and fear, those two devils. People might get mad. They might be ugly. They might talk bad about me. They might not understand. We invent a worst-case scenario and it mutes us. The truth is, most people respect vulnerability and hold it with tender hands, especially those who love us and faithfully bear our stories. We are so afraid, but truth-telling leads to life. Like Brené Brown said in Daring Greatly (put this book down immediately and buy hers): Daring greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. In a world where scarcity and shame dominate and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It’s even a little dangerous at times . . . [But] nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as believing that I’m standing on the outside of my life looking in and wondering what it would be like if I had the courage to show up and let myself be seen." (For the Love by Jen Hatmaker)
If we just bear our souls and bring the junky parts of ourselves out to the light we would build community with others. I promise you whatever situation or circumstance you are hiding away from the rest of the world is for not, because someone somewhere or maybe even someone you know has gone through the same thing! I have learned this lesson the hard way for a while I tucked away all my personal junk and the things I was going through and guess what when I finally brought it out into the light and shared with those I loved and trusted they had been through the same junk! AMAZING isn't it?
John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Be a listening ear for your fellow man. Lend a helping hand when you see a need. Open up bear the hard truths of life with those you trust. Build community with those in your life don't snuff out the light that was given to you. We are all human we aren't perfect, but by doing life together and helping point each other to Christ we are moving in the right direction.
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