People need people

Since creation, human beings need company.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” – Genesis 2:18

Adam had God with him in the garden and he had a lot of animals around. No one could say that he was alone. But still, he felt lonely. So God created Eve to be his companion. Adam was not alone anymore.

Since then, men and women have needed someone to support them, someone by their side. That’s how God created us. He built into us the necessity of having people around, of being a part of a community.

And as it is with all our needs, God also provides companions to support us in our journey of life. I’m not talking specifically about a romantic relationship (although your spouse can be and should be your companion too). I’m talking about people that will support you, help you keep on the right track, give you encouragement and lift you up when you fall.

We can see in several stories of the Bible that God had provided a companion for several people that had a challenge to face. Moses had Aaron; David had Jonathan; Noemi had Ruth; Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had each other. Just to name a few of them.

The New Testament brought us the advent of the Church, which embodies the companionship that we all need. We find lots of references to the community of believers that formed the early church.

During the tough hours after Jesus’ death, the disciples found support in each other until they met Jesus again. In John chapters 20 and 21 you see situations where they were all gathered when Jesus met them.

After Jesus went to heaven, his disciples used this companionship to build the church. Not a temple, not a building, but the body of Christ on earth. You can see the apostle Paul mentioning his companions and the community of the church all over his epistles. It was a major deal for him.

The Bible also shows us what happens when you don’t follow God’s will and try to give people advice. See Job and his friends. None of them helped Job at all. And to make matters worse, they criticized him although they had no idea what God was doing, what was His plan. When God showed up, He made it clear that nothing they said was true.

The amazing thing about God is how He calls us to be part of His plan. In this context, not only He will provide for your need, He will also use you to provide for someone else’s. That’s right: God has chosen you to support other people too.

When you pray, remember these two things: ask God to provide the right people to be by your side, and ask Him to prepare you to be the right companion for the people He chooses.

But don’t be afraid if you feel lonely: in fact, you’re never alone. God is by your side, no matter what. And even if you need someone else there too, like Adam did, He will provide it at the right time. That’s for sure.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19