Not Easily Broken

www.bible.com/1713/ecc.4.12.csb

Who is your other cord? With whom are you not easily broken? Do you have backup? Or do you try to go on your own?

I find that nothing binds people together faster than shared adversity. Total strangers stuck in an elevator can become close friends. But once the adversity is over, well, there’s no guarantees. We are social creatures and we naturally congregate. But if we isolate ourselves, we cut off that natural instinct.

The Scripture reinforces the truth of our nature, but explains why God made us like this. He knows in this world we will have trouble. That trouble may break us if we attempt life solo. I’ve talked with people who have tried life alone. But inevitably they come into situations when someone else is needed. If you’ve never married and have no children, all your family is gone and you are alone, to whom do you turn?

Even in this, God has created a social community where you can have family without marriage and children without procreation. Parents without adoption. It’s called Church. You can find this amazing extended family in the relationships you develop within the community of faith. The strength of your family will depend on how much time and energy you invest. Don’t have anyone you can call in adversity? Join a church. At least the pastor will help. Relationships will grow over time. God will help you form connections with strangers, because we are all facing this world together. We are all strangers here.

Father God. I am alone in this world. I don’t know who to turn to or to whom to run. Please show me those strangers who can become friends. show me and bind to those cords that I will need when adversity comes. And Lord God, be that strongest cord of all. In Jesus Name, Amen!