Being together is not the same as togetherness. Two people can be in each other’s company, but it does not mean that they are together. Togetherness implies one with another, united, collectively in a team, in concert, in harmony or mutually benefitting one another. Richard Wilbur an American poet said: “What is the opposite of two? A lonely me and a lonely you!”
We are not meant to be alone.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecc 4:9-12 NLT)
God designed us for togetherness. In fact, when He becomes the third person in our togetherness, we become even stronger. Did you know that a three-cord rope is the strongest one can get? God Himself, works in togetherness. When He created mankind, the Trinity came together with one mind and purpose:
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” (Gen 1:26-28 NLT)
They created male and female, to be together, to be fruitful, multiply and reign over the earth. Eve was “the helper that was just right for him” (Gen 2:18) and together they would be fruitful in life and multiply. Here togetherness is romantic in nature, but togetherness also plays out in friendship, family, teams, musicians etc. God’s plan is never that we do life on our own. His intention was always that we combine forces with others because “two are better than one.”
This does not imply that we all have to be married, but rather, that we are not to “go it alone”, but unite with others to do life together. We have an enemy who specializes in isolating people. He separated Eve from Adam, he divided Cain and Abel. His strategies are still the same today.
Jesus came to bring us all together.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col 1:15-17)
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:18-20)
When we are together with others, there is blessing in our lives.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like …For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore. (Psalm 133:1-3)
It is important that we recognize the importance of togetherness, especially the togetherness which we have with other believers. As Henry Ford said: “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” We are all better off, when we are together with others.
Consequently, protecting togetherness is an important activity in our lives. Relationships are never to be neglected or ignored, or even abandoned. They may be difficult, at times unpleasant, but are filled with blessing if we work hard at them. We are to give attention, be considerate, continuously care for one another, looking at ways in which we can be loving and helpful, ways in which we can build each other up.
“And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25 Amp CE)
It is good, when God’s people are together.
Father, help me to always remember the importance of togetherness in my day-to-day life. Do not allow me to get into the habit of being by myself and my own activities or plans. Instead, help me to be mindful of continually building up my relationships, encouraging and lifting up others by being helpful, welcoming and understanding. As we work together, help us to be fruitful and productive in our lives.
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