Created for Community

John Ortberg tells the story of a friend who made his first trip south of the Mason-Dixon Line from Chicago to Georgia. On that first morning, he went into a restaurant to order breakfast. It seemed that every dish included something called grits. Not being familiar with this southern delicacy, he asked the waitress, “Could you tell me, exactly what is a grit?” Looking down on him with a mixture of compassion and condescension, she said, “Sugar, you can’t get just one grit. They always come together.”

In the book of Kings, chapter 19, the prophet Elijah is running for his life. He lies down under a broom tree and he prays, “It is enough now, O Lord, take away my life…” When God responds, “What are you doing here, Elijah?,” Elijah responds, “… the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left…”

Elijah feels alone. So much so that he despairs of life itself. 

Later, God shares with Elijah that there are 7,000 left – who are with him. There are others.

In the book of Genesis, near the very beginning of the Bible, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” God created us to be in relationship with others. God created us for community. 

My prayer today is that you would come to see the people around you as a gift. May you cherish them and share your life deeply. 

Let us pray: Loving God, I pray today, especially for those who are feeling isolated or alone. May they know your presence with them – even now. Help each of us indeed feel the love of those we love. In your time, bring us together again. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.