Enjoy this article from Vella Karman, a second-year apprentice at The Company. Learn more about Vella and read some of her work at VellaKarman.com.

You need people in your life.

Don’t believe me? Let’s look at the facts.

After God created the world and everything in it, He said it is not good for man to dwell alone. (Genesis 2:18)

That’s one of the first things He says about humans other than that we’re very good. 

He doesn’t tell us how to build a relationship with Him. He doesn’t tell us how to keep warm and find shelter and all those other things science shows we need.

He doesn’t tell us about our identity in Christ, and He doesn’t even tell us how much we need Him.

What does God say we need? Other people.

And then He created Eve. 

Writers are a lonely bunch:

I used to live like I needed God and nobody else.

Especially as a writer, I can hunch over my keyboard and ignore the world at large. I can mutter about the state of the Christian media and read books in my free time instead of spending time with friends.

At 15 years old, I didn’t believe that anybody outside my family cared about me. Our sweet elderly neighbor asked my sister how I was doing one day and when my sister relayed the message, I said, “What does she care?”

In the last four years, I learned how wrong I was to believe that no one cared.

People can be selfish, but we’re all created in the image of God.

That’s why people care about others in an unfeeling world. 

Even numbed out by technology, we hope the wars in the Ukraine and Israel will end, we spread acts of random kindness, and we celebrate cancer survivors. That’s how being made in the image of God plays out.

Needing others is also part of how we’re made in God’s image.

Made in God’s image:

God has the Trinity (The complex concept of the trinity is explained by Cru here: https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/core-christian-beliefs/understanding-the-trinity.html ) and then He created us to be His friends. 

And we’re His beloved, even though He knew we would fall and destroy ourselves and break His heart. 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

EPHESIANS 5:1-2 ESV

Jesus didn’t lone wolf his time on earth either. 

He had 12 named disciples, 3 closest friends from that group, and even more women and men following Him. Following Him—as in they camped together in the desert.

We always emphasize how Jesus took time alone in the wilderness, and solitude is important, but it’s vital that we realize He also sought out community.

Jesus didn’t lone wolf ministry:

He walked up to 12 people and asked them to be his friends (and students). Have you asked 12 people outright, “Will you be my friend?”

He went to Samaria to become friends with the woman at the well. 

He brought some of his disciples with him to the Garden of Gethsemane–His darkest hour–and asked them to pray and keep watch. When you’re wrestling your own demons, do you trust friends to pray and keep you accountable? 

And on top of all that, Jesus didn’t retreat to the wilderness just to be alone. He went to be alone with God. God…who is our BFF.

God didn’t lone wolf eternity. He’s in constant community with Himself (because of the trinity) and us (His creation). 

It’s against our nature to live without community, because we’re made in the image of a community-focused God. 

Take the time to invest in community: 

Who’s one person you can reach out to right now? Pick up the phone and call them. Send a text. Drive over to their house. However you want to do it, invite them to spend time with you this week. 

Tell them if you’re lonely. Ask them to pray with you. Commit to spending more intentional time with them. Or if all that’s too complicated, just go for a walk together. 

See if it doesn’t bless both of you. You might just find out…that you were made for this.

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