Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25
We all have a need for community, a sense of belonging. Research tells us that suicide rates, child abuse, criminal activity are all greater when there is a lack of community and people don’t have a sense of belonging. A writer I read expressed this by saying, “Isolation is a health hazard”.
The Bible has a lot to say about our need to belong. God said at the very beginning, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Paul says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). A body where one part can’t say to another “I don’t need you” (verse 21). John describes heaven in terms of a city (Revelation 21:2). God could have designed heaven in a sparse setting where it would be difficult to connect with others, but God knows our need for companionship. God created us for relationships and having fellowship meets our need to belong.
This verse encourages us to regularly gather together with other believers. This isn’t just a nice idea. There are very practical reasons for doing so. We are built up in our faith by being with others who believe. Sometimes it’s their presence that encourages us because we know that by being present at a church service or Christian meeting they are indicating it’s important to them.
As Christians, God meets our need to belong through the fellowship and the encouragement of others. Let’s continue to avail ourselves of that opportunity.
