” Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”– Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Harvard professor Robert Putnam wrote a book years ago called Bowling Alone, which documents the decline in community life in America since the 1960s. The title comes from a trivial but telling example: the percentage of adults who belong to a bowling league today is only about a quarter of what it was in the 1960s.
Other examples he cites are…
- The percentage of people who volunteer in a political campaign – stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, going door to door – is today about half what it was in the late 1960s.
- Active membership in local clubs and organizations, like the PTA, has dropped by about half, percentage-wise, since the 1970s.
- People are visiting one another less frequently, having friends over for dinner less frequently, getting together to play cards less frequently.
These are just a few examples showing that just about every objective measure of participation in community and civic life is declining. People are disconnected more than ever. So it’s no wonder we’re more isolated and more depressed than we’ve ever been.
God never created us to live life alone. So even if you struggle to make friends, do it anyway. Stay involved in social gatherings and clubs. Not only will you be encouraged yourself, you’ll have a platform to build meaningful relationships and share the Gospel with others. Pray that God would help you continue to build meaningful relationships with others.– Senior Living
One of the things that helped me most as a young Christian was being connected with others in the church. After nearly every service we either went to someone’s house or had someone over to ours. And throughout the week we maintained connection with one another. I have often said, “we had such a strong bond that others wouldn’t let you backslide even if you wanted to”. If someone was sick and missed church they knew people would be calling to check on them. I don’t have the words to describe how this connection helped me grow as a young Christian. I believe we are in desperate need of that today, but most people fail to see its importance. Please get connected– others need you and you need others! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
