PEOPLE LIKE US

Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live. The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things. Romans 15:4 (TPT)

What if the ache we feel for connection isn’t weakness, but something God placed in us?

Created for Connection

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.

So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 

The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.  Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:18, 20–25 (NIV)

Built to Belong

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is… what we need more than anything.  Tim Keller

Partners In Purpose

The Lord God said, “…I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18 (NLT)

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help (ezer) and our shield. Psalm 33:20 (NIV)

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed… Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Do you spend time with people who only comfort you or those who also call out your potential?

The Intimacy Principle

Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:25 (NIV)

The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved. Mother Teresa

I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 (NKJV)

“Intimacy” = Into-me-you-see.

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 1 Samuel 18:1 (NIV)

Maturity Walks with Others

- ​Love one another (John 13:34)

- ​Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)

- ​Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)

- ​Confess to one another (James 5:16)

- ​Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning. Hebrews 10:24–25 (TPT)