Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Think about your favorite memory, the best day of your life. My most recent one is the last night I spent at Camp Lighthouse, the camp I was a counselor at this summer. That night, we sat at the lake and looked at the stars, went to Quick Trip and bought trail mix, made buttons at midnight, and stayed up until 4 playing cards. But what makes that memory so special to me? Sure, the activities were fun, but it is the people I was with who made it one of the best nights of my life! I’m sure the same would go for everyone- you’re favorite memory isn’t necessarily associated with what you did, it was more the people you were with. Because life is better with other people.

For example: Who would like to do a group project (with people you like) instead of working by yourself? Why? It’s because you can get more work done that way and spend time making the project really good. Other than at school, maybe you want to be a great runner, so you run with someone who also has that goal so you can work together. Maybe you are really bad at math, so you work with someone so they can help you understand the problem. Maybe you had a really bad day, so you talk to someone so they can encourage you.

“Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

There are 4 advantages to having someone with you.

1. Productivity (they have a good reward for their labor). Two people can get more done together than one could on their own. This is like the group project, where you divide the work to get more things done.
2. Help in need (If they fall, one will lift up his companion). This means that another person is meeting your basic needs or coming to your aid when you need it most.
3. Comfort in life (they will keep warm). Having another person can bring you joys and make living much better. Spending time with people adds value to life.
4. Safety and security (two can withstand). This allows for two people to protect each other and look out for one another.

Find people who want to rejoice with you, want to mourn with you, want to share their stories, and want to hear yours. We talk a lot about having a good relationship with God, but we also need to have relationships with people. And it is fine to have non-christian friends. But, you need to have friends, have people in your life, who can encourage you in the way of the Lord.