Here we are again. Another Lent. Another wilderness wandering. Another start to reflecting on the world via my very sporadic writings. It seems Lent has been the time I feel most compelled to write. Perhaps because of the introspective nature of the season. Maybe it’s just the experience of taking the United Methodist Photo-A-Day challenge and turning it into a post. All I know is here we are again and here I go again.
Day 3: Alone
Near the beginning of the Christian Bible, in Genesis 2:18, God proclaims,
“It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.”
It is not good for us to be alone. Sure, we all need some “me time.” It is healthy and helpful to be able to withdraw occasionally and spend some time with oneself. What I believe this passage points to is something deeper.
We understand at this point in the creation story, Adam was the only human being. He was not choosing a moment to get away from others, there were presumably no others like him to get away from. He is alone. Isolated. Unconnected. Not a choice he has made, but a reality he is living.
It is not good for him to be alone. The implication being, humans are meant to connect with one another.
This is the fundamental truth about existence I profess every time I claim “life is better together,” where the better I imagine is connection. It is, of course, a connection with God, but such connection often seems to be experienced, heightened, enjoyed, through connection with others.
During this season of Lent when I reflect on Jesus wandering alone in the wilderness, when I consider times I have felt alone, I am reminded there are so many who have become helpers and partners along the road.
My wife, Catherine, is a most wonderful helper and partner. She is a true gift allowing me space to be me and a connection to a greater us. God has also blessed me with so many great friendships. Again, people who have chosen for a season, some a lifetime, to wander the wilderness with me. Sometimes, we stop along the road and eat breakfast.
It is not good for us to be alone. Not forever, anyway. I am so thankful, I am not.
Life is better together,
Shawn
Big Rubber Band Ball 