“I hate people. Do you hate people?” Reply: “No; but things seem to go better when they’re not around.” This is a line from the movie “Barfly.” I can’t recommend the movie, but I’ve remembered the line on occasion when a person or people, seem to be at the root of some personal anxiety. We humans turn to all manner of hobbies, vices, relaxation techniques, councilors and the like to maintain a stress level we feel we can manage. Some of these things are constructive, others self-destructive and others only effective in our own mind. Sometimes we just need space and time to help us cope.
As much as we sometimes need to be alone, we will inevitably be with people again. We need people who help us maintain our comfortable inner peace, or at least won’t interfere with it. So we look for places where there are others who are “like us.” We still seek acceptance and a sense of belonging. We need community. Then we are able to relate and interact.
God recognized this need near the beginning of creation. The animals were paraded past Adam. As he finished naming them, there was found none to be a helper or companion for Adam. What he was missing was company of his own level; someone to whom he could relate. God was far superior and everything else inferior, but God knew that it was not good that the man was alone, so He made a companion for him.
God adds people to His church in the name of community. He made a way for us to be with Him in eternity because of His desire to be with His people. He instituted marriage and family, church and community for His own good purposes and He wants us to spread the word that “We are not alone.”
We are social since the creation of Adam. There are people all around us searching for a place to fit. Not everyone realizes they have this need or from where it comes, but Christians know. God’s people throughout history have known. Don’t you want to bring that good news to the lonely and those who are searching?
