We Need Each Other
There was a couple in a church where I once served who were going through a really difficult time in their marriage. About that same time, they stopped coming to worship. I ran into her at the grocery, and she began to try to explain why they hadn’t been there. She stopped herself and said, “The truth is, I can’t keep pretending that everything’s okay, when it’s not okay.”
How sad is it that she would think that she had to pretend in order to belong in the church? It’s sad, because Jesus said pretty clearly that he didn’t come to call on the righteous – on those who pretend to have it all together. No, he came for all the rest of us – those who know we are not perfect.
It’s also sad because I thought about all the other people in that church, who had gone through struggles in their own relationships. And I thought about how many of them would have sat with them, and ministered to them and been strength and hope to them – no matter what happened in their marriage.
When things are rough, there can be a tendency to pull away from community – to withdraw and try and cope alone. But, when we isolate ourselves from others we leave room for bitterness and cynicism to grow. Alone it’s easy to lose perspective.
The scriptures teach us that God created us to live in community. We actually need each other in order to be healthy and whole. This pandemic and time of social distancing has made this painfully clear.
My prayer for you today is that you would continue to find ways to stay connected with others. May they be people who love you unconditionally, who care for you and who challenge you to grow. And may you love them in the same way.
Let us pray: We can only imagine, Lord, the depths of your love for us. You created us all different. And yet you have called us to belong to each other, to care for each other, to work with each other to make this world a better place. Give us the courage we need to share the deepest, most valuable part of our lives with your people. Nourish us, strengthen us, and then send us out as your servants. In Jesus name, Amen.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Rev. Joe Albright is a graduate of Flagler College and Columbia Theological Seminary. Together, he and his wife Robbie have five children. He loves spending time on the ocean and especially enjoys surfing and fishing. Before entering the ministry, Joe taught high school Spanish in Cape Hatteras North Carolina and Lawrence Tavern, Jamaica. He has pastored churches in Sarasota and Jacksonville, Florida and is currently serving Trinity Presbyterian Church in Palm Coast. Full Bio “I believe deeply in the power of the Gospel to bring hope, love, and new life. I have seen firsthand how this beautiful ministry of hope has touched people’s lives. It gives me great joy to serve Dial Hope as Lead Pastor.”
