In the beginning, when God created the world, He also created man and woman. A family. He created people meant for connection. Without one another, we are lonely, but God’s heart is that we connect. Psalm 68:5-6 says “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…” It matters to God that we are not alone.

Today, the term tribe or community may denote those we are most closely connected to. But whether those we call family are connected by DNA or not, the bottom line is that we need each other. No matter how messy it gets, everyone needs those who won’t turn their back or walk away. The ones who stay are family.

It is within community that we grow. Proverbs 27: 17 says that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Our messiness, our differences, our humanity challenges us and gives us an opportunity to grow. We become better people when we are in community and allow God to change us.

In Exodus 17 while the Israelites fought Amalek, Moses held up his rod and the people prevailed against their enemy. When Moses’ arms became tired, Aaron and Hur supported his arms so that the Israelites would continue to win over their enemy.

When life is difficult, when we are discouraged or struggling with loss, those we call family surround us and support us just as Aaron and Hur supported Moses.

God’s intent ultimately is that we are a part of His family. Family that will last for eternity. And we will never be alone again.