You Are Not Meant To Live Life Alone

Reflect on God’s Word

Singer-songwriter Paul Simon wrote, “I am an island.” Our culture definitely values independence, the “self-made” man or woman. Ever hear a toddler say, “I do it myself!”?

You may believe that you don’t need other people, that you and God can handle whatever comes along. But God has a different, better way. During creation, as God declared everything he made “good,” only one thing was “not good”: that the one human he had made would be alone. So God created a helper for the first man, Adam. He brought forth someone who was like the man, but different in significant ways. Someone to help him work the garden. Someone he could share life with.

God made us for community, to share life with others, both the suffering and the joy (“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn,” Romans 12:15). This is the point the apostle Paul was making in his letter to the church of Corinth when he wrote: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:26–27).

Galatians 6:2 encourages us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” And Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

It’s hard to let people into our own suffering, to admit that we can’t handle the pain alone. It’s easier to let them into our rejoicing, to celebrate success. But both are necessary and balance each other. Our success is only by the grace of God, and only the grace of God can heal our suffering.

Think of your own body. It is one. You have fingers and toes, eyes and ears, heart and lungs. Each organ, each part of your body is unique. Think of a time when you had a headache or an injury. Remember how the rest of your body stepped up to help take care of the weak or injured part?

Living life alone can be a huge burden to carry. You might not even realize that this mindset is a lie you have been believing. But think of all the times the world has worked to make you believe that you can do life by yourself.

The movie Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks, is about a FedEx executive, Chuck Noland, who survives a plane crash on his way to Malaysia. He survives on an inflatable life raft but finds himself on a completely deserted island. Washed ashore with him are several FedEx packages containing random things ordered by ordinary people. With perseverance and ingenuity, Chuck survives for four years on that island and eventually is rescued and returned to civilization.^*

What is striking about this movie is that, while Chuck is alone and able to survive by his wits and the useful things he finds in the FedEx packages, he still feels isolated. In fact, he overcomes that to some extent by drawing a face on a volleyball. Chuck names the volleyball “Wilson” and spends the rest of his time on the island conversing with “Wilson” as if he were a person there with him.

Chuck felt his isolation and his need for community. He was able to survive, but how much better would it have been if there had been others around him to encourage and help? Survival stories are very popular, but God wants more for us than mere survival: He wants us to thrive.

Take a few moments to reflect on how God created you, in all your uniqueness, to be around others—those you work with or live with—and how he desires for you to share life with them. Remember today that God has not left you alone in this world, to do life by yourself, but has instead provided a community of people with whom to share your life.

Release the Lies

Relax for a few moments. Feel your toes. Wiggle them and then relax them. Feel your ankles. Relax them. Feel your legs and then let them go limp. Also let your hands and arms go limp.

Breathe in and exhale slowly. Feel the air leave your lungs. Breathe in again and think about the oxygen going into your blood, through your heart. Your whole body, each individual part, works together.

Take a deep breath and think about the things that are weighing you down. What burdens do you carry today?

Think about your relationship with God. How does he share your suffering? Feel yourself taking burdens off your shoulders one by one and placing them in the hands of Jesus. Feel his strength as he receives them. Look into his face and see him smile as he senses you trust him.

Now reflect on the people God has put in your life. How could they help you lift your burdens? How could you help them carry their suffering?

Take another deep breath. What can you rejoice about today? How has God honored you with a blessing? With whom could you share it today?

Calm your heart and take time now to remember moments of joy that recently made you smile. Remember the small acts of kindness others offered you, and remember the small acts of kindness you offered others.

Reflect on how you are not alone. God has placed others in your life. Imagine crawling into his lap, sharing your day, and hearing him say your name along with the names of others he has placed in your life.

Feel the joy of his embrace and the love of those he has placed around you.

Lord Jesus, sometimes I feel alone. Open my eyes to see the people you have put in my life. Thank you that I am not created to be alone in my suffering or rejoicing. Thank you for creating others to be with me, to shoulder the load as well as to rejoice with me. And thank you, Lord, that you are always with me, and your presence gives me peace. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, empowering me to live life with others. And fill me with strength and a compassionate heart. In your precious name, amen.

JOURNAL PROMPT: Do you feel God nudging you to share life with someone? Describe that nudge. How will you respond?