Take Time, Part 3
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Again, I saw futility under the sun: There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “So who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself from good?” This too is futile and a miserable task.
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
– Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (HCSB)
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
– Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (HCSB)
Solomon was one of the wisest men who ever lived. God endowed him with amazing understanding. On Sunday, Pastor Tim stated that if Solomon had a thesis, it would be verse 9:
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.
God created us to need companionship. We are all designed uniquely, and we develop uniquely throughout our lives. We all have different strengths, weaknesses, talents, abilities, experiences, etc. Joining these forces together, we can achieve so much more. As John C. Maxwell coined, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Moreover, studies show that an individual's mental health and wellbeing are enhanced by living in community with others. It provides a sense of belonging, social connectedness, and extra meaning and purpose to everyday life.
Tim stated three examples from Solomon’s ‘thesis:’
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.
God created us to need companionship. We are all designed uniquely, and we develop uniquely throughout our lives. We all have different strengths, weaknesses, talents, abilities, experiences, etc. Joining these forces together, we can achieve so much more. As John C. Maxwell coined, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Moreover, studies show that an individual's mental health and wellbeing are enhanced by living in community with others. It provides a sense of belonging, social connectedness, and extra meaning and purpose to everyday life.
Tim stated three examples from Solomon’s ‘thesis:’
- We all need help at times
- We all need care and comfort
- We all need protection
An individual's mental health and wellbeing are enhanced by living in community with others.
My thoughts immediately race to the farming community. Coming from a multi-generational line of farmers, I’ve witnessed time and time again the benefits of living in close community with others.
One example that is most prominent for me occurred many years ago during hay season. Our family had recently moved to my grandparents farm. Having lived there a little over a year, we were still considered new in the town. We were in the height of the season for putting up hay when my husband injured his shoulder, creating a huge hardship for the harvest. However, without a skipped beat, area farmers came to our aid and stocked our barn with hundreds of hay bales. But, it did not stop there… The day the men came to bale the hay, their wives also provided food to serve all those who labored in our fields. This alleviated all the stress I was under, trying to cook for them alone.
Our experience that day impacted us so much… We were eager to help all our friends that we made that day, plus form new bonds by initiating community with others.
How about you? You can help by providing a skill, giving a ride or running an errand for a neighbor. You can care for or comfort by sending a card, paying a visit or helping a struggling friend. You can protect by house sitting, or by maintaining awareness of any type of abuse or neglect to those around you.
It only takes one act of reconnecting… Who are you going to reconnect with this week?
One example that is most prominent for me occurred many years ago during hay season. Our family had recently moved to my grandparents farm. Having lived there a little over a year, we were still considered new in the town. We were in the height of the season for putting up hay when my husband injured his shoulder, creating a huge hardship for the harvest. However, without a skipped beat, area farmers came to our aid and stocked our barn with hundreds of hay bales. But, it did not stop there… The day the men came to bale the hay, their wives also provided food to serve all those who labored in our fields. This alleviated all the stress I was under, trying to cook for them alone.
Our experience that day impacted us so much… We were eager to help all our friends that we made that day, plus form new bonds by initiating community with others.
How about you? You can help by providing a skill, giving a ride or running an errand for a neighbor. You can care for or comfort by sending a card, paying a visit or helping a struggling friend. You can protect by house sitting, or by maintaining awareness of any type of abuse or neglect to those around you.
It only takes one act of reconnecting… Who are you going to reconnect with this week?
Author: Kim Sheets, Senior Graphic Designer
Posted in Devotional
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