Two is Still Better

Have you ever tried to play ping pong by yourself? What about playing catch alone? How about trying to have a conversation with yourself? You can do it, but it may just look a little odd. It just doesn’t work well to go at these things alone.

King Solomon, known as the wisest person to ever live, wrote some very helpful truth about the importance of experiencing life with others.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two is still better than one because there is much more power in community and friendship with others than trying to navigate life on your own. However, if we're honest, going at it alone can be much, much easier. It takes work to be in community with others. It takes being uncomfortable. It takes time that we do not have. It takes intentional planning. It is work to be connected to each other. Jesus said the world would know that we are his followers by the way we love each other. Think about that. The world will see Jesus’ love when we love each other well. I am convinced that loving people takes being with them. Love always requires a sacrifice of our time. I think Jesus followers must fight the urge to go it alone, the advantages of being in connection with others are endless.

Two are better than one because you and I will fall. Solomon said it. We are not perfect people. Striving for perfection is always a temptation, as we want to appear as if our lives are all put together with no problems or issues. This is not reality. We all struggle, I know that I do. I fall prey to sin and wrongful motives and my heart is not always neat and clean. This is why I need the support of others. As a parent, I need other parents' ideas and perspectives. As a husband, I need other dudes who’ve been married longer who know the joys and challenges of marriage.

When you go alone, you can be overpowered. We live in a broken world with many temptations and fears all around us. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and overtaken by the noise of the crowd and the worries of today. When we choose to live life side-by-side with others, we can defend and protect each other. When we stand together as followers of Jesus, there will be strength in numbers, power in praying together and the added peace of being unified and on mission together. When those hard days come and when I fall, I need to resist the temptation to go “solo” and be willing to reach out to others for support, prayer, and encouragement. Falling and failing is going to happen. We will get it wrong. When we do, let's be a people that do life together to lift each other up in those hard times. Together, with God we will be stronger and more effective disciples, as “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Be encouraged as there is joy, hope, and help in the community of the saints. Be reminded that Jesus is on your side. He loves you and you matter. He has purposely placed people in your life to build you up and keep you going. Don’t go it alone.

Two is STILL (and will always be) better than one.