Companionship
The writer of Ecclesiastes recognizes the beauty of companionship, saying that friends help you accomplish more than you could achieve on your own (v. 9). Companions help in time of need (v. 10), and friends can provide protection in difficult situations (v. 12). Ecclesiastes reflect the confusion we all wrestle with when dealing with the challenges of life. Ecclesiastes 4:8 speaks to personal issues, such as loneliness which is described in verse 8 as not having anyone around. We don’t want to be alone, but among its other ill effects the pandemic caused a great deal of loneliness.
Rev. Glen Langston died this week in a nursing home in Harrisonburg. Glen worked for the Harrisonburg District for many years as the Program Director and he helped local churches and pastors all over the District. Glen had been sick for a long time but the saddest thing is that he was by himself. Many of us visited with Glen before the pandemic hit, but after the pandemic no one could get in to see him. All nursing homes closed their doors and restricted who could come and visit. Glen loved company and was always a “people person.” The last time I got to visit with him, there were eight people in to see him at one time. We laughed and remembered and had a great time.
Maggie Fergusson in The Economist’s 1843 magazine said, “Loneliness is an affliction more harrowing than homelessness, hunger or disease.” The hurt of feeling alone isn’t new to our day, but the pain of isolation has been real to many recently. How wonderful it will be as we are again able to be with friends!
God has created us to offer and receive the benefits of friendship and community. If you are lonely, pray that God will help you reconnect with others as restrictions ease. We can all know today that the believer is never truly alone because Jesus is always with us. (Matthew 28:20)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me courage to reach out to others who may feel lonely with an offer of friendship. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one…if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Image: Adobe iStock
