Isolation Is Not a Go(o)d Thing

Then the Lord God said, “I see that it is not good for the man to be alone.  

I will make the companion he needs, one just right for him.”

- Genesis 2:18 (ERV)  

 Isolation.   

I read the other day that it started happening here in the US in the 1960’s when there started to be more than 3 channels for people to watch on tv. Up until that point, everyone watched the same shows and shared that in common. It gave them something to talk about and a shared point of reference. Now there are 1,000’s of channels to choose from. We have lost one connection.  

The 60’s also saw the breakdown of the family. Then the numbers started to drop % wise for people going to church. Garages brought about people driving in and closing the door without seeing their neighbors. Front porches were replaced by back decks.  

Door Dash, Drive Throughs, Amazon have all added great convenience but also kept us from having to actually connect with people. Covid opened the door to zoom meetings and working from home – again, great conveniences but now we miss the serendipitous interactions before and after meetings or those in between times at work. Water cooler conversations are now an anachronism that has to be explained.  

We are becoming more and more isolated.  

Our need for human interaction has not changed though – even for the most introverted people.  

Isolation has some pretty harsh side effects – greater risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory diseases. Isolated people tend to die younger, suffer from mental health issues, cognitive issues, and emotional distress.  

These lead to more chronic issues and higher medical bills, which leads to greater stress.  

We were not made to be alone  

We need each other.  

It takes real intentionality to move from isolation to connection.  

You have to want to have a better life and then you have to do something about it.  

It's not hard – simply begin to reach out. Set up times for coffee with a friend. Instead of going for walks by yourself, seek out someone to go with you. Join a small group. Invite others out to eat following the service. Make a phone call. (Texts are good for relaying information – lousy at building relationships – though they are better than not reaching out.)  

God created us to be relational – first with Him, next with others. Being alone is a good thing. Being alone all the time is not.  

Love requires another person to receive it. God created us to love.  

So, what is one small thing you can do today to begin the path toward being more relational. Stop and think: Who can I connect with today?  

Then take the step even if it is small and reach out.  

That’s what Jesus did. He came here to us so we could draw near to Him. He took the first step. We need to take the second.  

Take the step from isolation to connection. Live a better life and help others do the same. It's why we are here.