Blog by Jess Hulett
Whenever I think of “togetherness,” I automatically begin to sing Mariah Carey’s hit song from the 90s in my head (We Belong Together). Oh Mariah…what happened to your sweet, no auto-tuned innocence?
We’ll come back to Mariah in a little bit. For now, the reason for this blog post: Togetherness.
A common theme threaded throughout our culture, togetherness is frequently mentioned, expressing need that all people have to feel connected. A great example of positive togetherness are exampled when our Youth and Young Adult ministries combine to provide help in our city, wherever it is needed. Examples of negative forms of togetherness includes gangs (the most obvious), and also toxic relationships.
In pop culture, there is even a show called “Togetherness” on HBO that is about “four adults nearing 40 as they continue their search to find meaning in their lives and relationships.”
The point is that almost everyone in the world has an innate desire to be in relationship with someone, or something, at an intimate level. It is what people long for.
It is a Biblical truth that people feel that way. God says that, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18 NIV). And all of the amazing hubbies said… Amen!
Back to Mariah: She was right when she sang, “We belong together.” In her song she continues with:
“Who else am I gon’ lean on
When times get rough
Who’s gonna talk to me on the phone
Till the sun comes up
Who’s gonna take your place
There ain’t nobody better
Oh, baby baby, we belong together”
When you are done reading this post, this song will be in your head all day, guaranteed. I am going to apply the context of these lyrics to the relationship with our friends. We need friends and sisters to lean on when times get rough, we need friends who will talk things out with us and be there for us. There’s nothing better than friends! We belong together.
I love these verses as well:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 (MSG)
“It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!
By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.”
Maybe Mariah was inspired by these verses?!
It needs to be understood, if it hasn’t been explained enough, that it was never God’s design for humans to live life alone.
It is my hope and prayer that you feel a part of the “togetherness” that is God’s family. I pray that you don’t feel like you have to strive to fit in, or be someone that you are not. How to feel more “together?” Are you in a connect group? Do you make it a priority to call your girlfriends or meet with them for coffee? Don’t isolate yourself! It is easier to be taken out of church and out of a relationship with God by the enemy when you’re by yourself. We are in this Christian journey together.
YOU BELONG at Devoted Conference 2017
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