In our highly mobile, achievement-focused society, we've lost something essential - the power of genuine community. While we may have hundreds of social media connections, studies show that most people today have only one to four close friends. This isolation is particularly pronounced in busy metropolitan areas where we're constantly rushing from one obligation to another.

The wisdom of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor." This ancient truth reveals three key benefits of doing life together:

We accomplish more with others. If we want to make a real impact during our one life on earth, we need the strength that comes from partnership and collaboration.
We have someone to help us when we're down. Life inevitably brings challenges, grief, and moments of uncertainty. Having people around us who can offer support, prayer, and practical help makes all the difference.
We are strengthened through others. When we're surrounded by people of faith, we're empowered and celebrated in ways that help us grow stronger.

In Mark chapter 2, we encounter a powerful story about the necessity of community. A paralyzed man needed to get to Jesus for healing, but he couldn't make the journey alone. Four friends carried him on his mat, and when they couldn't get through the crowd, they literally dug through the roof to lower him down to Jesus.

This man's healing was only possible because of his community. Without his four friends, he never would have encountered Jesus. They invested their time and energy to make kingdom activity possible in his life.

As one author noted, "You can't carry somebody's mat in a hurry, and everyone comes with a mat." We all have something that holds us back - whether it's fear, past wounds, or feelings of inadequacy. But when we're in genuine community, others can help carry us to places we couldn't reach on our own.

When we examine the life of Moses - one of the most significant figures in biblical history - we discover he didn't accomplish God's purposes alone. His "team" included:

• His mother, who nurtured him and gave him his Hebrew identity
• His sister Miriam, who watched over him and negotiated for his safety
• Pharaoh's daughter, who rescued and educated him
• Aaron, who spoke for him and gave him credibility
• Jethro, his father-in-law, who taught him survival skills and delegation
• Zipporah, his wife, who saved his life
• Joshua, his helper and successor
• Bezalel, the craftsman who helped build the Ark of the Covenant

At least eight people made Moses' calling possible. This raises an important question: Who makes your calling possible?

Jesus could have chosen any method to change the world, but he selected twelve individuals to be with him. Mark 3:14 tells us "He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach."

Jesus understood that he could win the entire world through the power of a committed small group. This wasn't just about having helpers - it was about the exponential impact that comes from deep, intentional relationships.

The Apostle Paul's relationship with Timothy demonstrates what effective teamwork looks like. Paul said, "I have no one else like him who will show genuine concern for your welfare." Timothy stood out because he genuinely cared about others' well-being rather than just looking out for his own interests.

In our isolated society, we need people to whom we give "refrigerator rights" - the freedom to go to our refrigerator and make a sandwich without asking permission. This represents the kind of family-level intimacy that says, "You're completely welcome here."

Most of us limit these rights to very few people, but the church is meant to be our spiritual family. We need fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles in the faith - people who will celebrate our victories and walk with us through our struggles.

When General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was asked about the secret of his success, he replied with one word: "Others." This captures the heart of what makes community powerful - when we stop focusing solely on our own interests and begin genuinely caring for the welfare of others.

First Corinthians 10:24 instructs us: "No one should seek their own good but the good of others." This isn't about losing ourselves, but about finding our purpose in serving something greater than our individual ambitions.

This week, take intentional steps to move beyond isolation and into genuine community. Whether through joining a life group, reaching out to a neighbor, or simply being more present with the people already in your life, make the choice to do life together rather than alone.
Consider these questions as you reflect on your own community:

• Who are the people in your life that have "refrigerator rights," and who do you trust at that level?
• What "mat" are you carrying that you've been trying to handle alone, when you actually need others to help you get to Jesus?
• How can you shift from focusing primarily on your own interests to showing genuine concern for others' welfare?
• What calling or purpose in your life might be waiting for the right team to help make it possible?

Remember, you weren't meant to fulfill your destiny alone. God has placed you in this generation to be part of something bigger than yourself, but that requires the courage to move from isolation into authentic, life-giving community.