Community

First it was a guy named Tom. We did everything together. We built Legos, rode bikes, played with G.I. Joes, had sleepovers, built cities in the sandbox and dug "underground" passages in deep snow. We transformed the downstairs in our homes into massive hideouts against robbers. We took family vacations together. He was my best friend. There was a connection.

When God created the world, he saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone, so He created a companion named Eve. God put Adam and Eve together as the first husband and wife; but they were best friends, too. They had a connection beyond marriage to a friendship with one another that only could be filled by another human. God had community up His sleeve when He made Eve.

When I was growing up (several years ago), the worst disease was not Measles, not Mumps, not Chicken Pox or even AIDS (even though it has invaded the lives of 20 million from 1981-2003). It was far worse. Can you imagine something worse? I believe loneliness is the most hurtful today (and always has been). This is why God said "it was not good" for a man to be alone." Many heading off to college are leaving many things, including good friends and family connections. This can be scary. Some meet new friends quickly and for others it takes time. For many over time, they think they are connected to others, but deep in their souls, they know they aren't! They are lonely. This is an epidemic on the college campus!

In general, Americans are lonely people. Gallup polls tell us that "Americans are among the loneliest people in the world." How can this be? Most of us live around people, work around people, attend events around people, and many go to church with people. How can we be so lonely? The answer is because there is a difference between being around people and being connected to people. This is why God had community in mind when He created relationship in the Garden of Eden.

Take time to seek the Lord in prayer, asking Him to provide some really good and authentic friendships that will last a lifetime. Look for friends who are encouraging and will challenge you to live fully for Jesus. We all need connections with people that go beyond talk about the weather and your class schedule. God designed us for deep connection. Marriage is the ultimate human connection between a man and a woman, but deep and real friendships are very important during the college years, too. Don't just look for a spouse; look for lifelong friendships. We all long for the kind of community that God set up in Genesis.