Two Are Better Than One

On this Valentines Day it’s good to think about God’s plan for people being with one another and caring for each other. 

For some of us being alone and in control of our own lives makes us feel safe.  We sometimes struggle with the behaviour and comments of family members, friends, and others, and tend to isolate ourselves from them. 

We can sometimes feel that being in relationship with others is more trouble that it is worth.  Yet God, after He created Adam, said it was not good for the man to be alone, so he created a helper for him.

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Genesis 2:18

Later on in one of the “Wisdom books” of the Bible the principle of doing life with others is reaffirmed.

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.  

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

In our times where people often spend more times with screens and on social media than with flesh and blood friends, we often find ourselves together with people who are used to doing life alone. 

At times, we all struggle to be in community with one another.  Sometimes we just want to run and hide and be alone.  However just reaching out and communicating, as gently and as truthfully as we can with one another will help us move forward and discover what God was telling us when He said that “Two are better than one.” 

Loving God, You designed us to be together with others in life as surely as the parts of our body work together for good health and getting things done. 

Help us today as we choose to support and encourage one another. Give us strength to move forward in our life in relationship with You and with others according to Your original plan. 

Alone we could never accomplish what is possible when we work together to love and build each other up but we also often need Your help to keep us from the extremes of control and co-dependency.  We want to live this day with balance, creativity, and compassion.  Help us to live in the truth You’ve given us that two are better than one.  Amen

And isn’t God wise when, at the same time as He affirms the need for relationship with one another, His places Himself in the middle of our relationships as the one who makes all things solid.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Let’s put our devices down, look up and around, and make time for God and others today. At the end of the day we’ll be glad we did.