Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
“It takes a village.” If you haven’t heard that phrase before, it’s another way of acknowledging the communities of support we have in our lives. It’s especially helpful when it kicks in for parents of young children. We never have enough hands or time for carpooling when you can’t be in two places at once!
Solomon is also troubled by those who don’t have a community around them. He questions how they can muster up the motivation to work if they don’t have a community to support. Everyone will have a different motivation for working, it’s not always a race to have great wealth. I suppose that’s easy for me to say as a missionary and pastor’s wife. Wealth is certainly not my motivation.
What I really resonated with in this passage is the part about how we are better together. That was actually the theme of our oldest son’s wedding, “better together.” But the power of two doesn’t have to be a marriage relationship. It can be friends, co-workers, volunteers on a mission project or other activity. You simply get more done when you aren’t trying to do everything yourself.
I love when my husband joins in on a cooking project with me. You see, I’m not the best cook in the world (even after all these years), so spending time in the kitchen is immediately more enjoyable when I have my “sous chef” husband helping me. It’s a real treat. He probably feels the same when I join him doing yard work. When we look at our accomplishments as a team, it’s unbelievable, and better together is a Biblical truth!
Solomon was wise as he counsels about the strengths of community. Communities mean relationships. Since we are designed to be in relationship with others and with God, communities are obviously a good thing. How many communities do you belong to? Think of family connections, church groups, book clubs, neighborhood associations, etc. Do you feel like you are overconnected, or do could you use a hand to be more productive?
The relationship with have with God is our most important relationship. That’s a topic we could talk about all day long, don’t you agree? Unfortunately, God is also the one we often forget or leave behind. We know in our heads that God is everywhere and even lives inside us. He knows our thoughts. So, if we forget to nurture our relationship regularly, it’s okay, right? No. Sorry. It’s not.
If we have learned anything from reading through the Old Testament together, God loves us and desires a relationship with us. He wants our dependence to be on him, not on chasing some whim or fantasy. Solomon likes the wind analogy!
How fitting that Solomon gives us a solution to bringing God in more. Look at how Verse 12 ends. “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.” Imagine that triple braided cord is made up of you, your spouse (or close friend), and God. You’ve just welcomed God into your marriage or your friendship. That’s a strong bond. That’s a Biblical truth.
What will your next steps be after reflecting on this passage? Are you going to seek out more opportunities to engage with your community? Or maybe you’re going to make sure and welcome God into a relationship that needs strengthening? You can always just be thankful for all the blessings you and your communities enjoy.
Let’s pray. Father God, thank you, thank you, thank you! Gratitude is in my heart and on my lips. You are so generous and giving, and I appreciate each community you have placed in my life. Bless and protect those people in my life who support me. Help me be a better part of each community. I want you to be the priority in my life that you deserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
