Have you ever watched the movie Cast Away with Tom Hanks? The title character’s plane crashes in the ocean and he somehow makes it to a deserted island. He spends four years in that place… all alone, no one to talk to, no one to share dreams with, or no one help carry his burdens. I remember that I couldn’t make it through the entire movie because it was so depressing. That movie is a visual of what it’s like to be all alone.
The early Christians show us that being alone is not God’s plan. They demonstrated that we are meant to be together, walking this life together. In addition to what our key verse says, on two different occasions in the book of Acts, we see this played out. In Acts 4, Peter and John are arrested and taken before the authorities to be questioned about their belief in Jesus. They stood before staunch opposers. A little intimidating, don’t you think? But after they were released, they immediately went to the home of believers who had been praying. The same scenario happened in Acts 12 after Peter was miraculously let out of prison… he goes directly to Mary’s home, where believers had gathered and they prayed together.
Tenth Avenue North sings about this in their song, No Man is an Island: “No man is an island, we can be found. No man is an island, let your guard down. You don't have to fight me, I am for you
We're not meant to live this life alone.” It’s true that we are not meant to live this life alone. God gave us each other, the body of Christ. Some people abuse it but others never use it. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because of pride, or fear of rejection or judgment, or they think that sharing their struggles will make them look weak. So, they struggle alone. They cry in the dark alone. They wander in the wilderness alone. They try to navigate this life ALL ALONE.
Let me ask you… Are you hurting for a loved one? Scared for your future? Worried about a health issue? Concerned you’ll not make it? Each one of us have difficulties. We all walk through the fire sometimes. And this fire you’re in right now may be really hot. So, the question becomes… are you doing it alone or do you have others by your side, holding you up, speaking truth into your heart, carrying the burdens with you, and praying for you? This is what the body of Christ is meant to do.
Now, let me say this… social media can be a place of friendship, but it can also be a façade… people taking advantage of others. I have a ton of friends on social media… and many of them I’ve met in person. I love those friends. But I also have people here… local people. These are the ones who can help me physically when I need it, hug me when I’m feeling alone, and have face-to-face chats. Here’s the thing… God has put people in your life so you do not have to walk alone. So, let me encourage you to let people in to the deep place you might be right now. Trust me, it will make it so much better.