People Need People — Morning Devotions

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Transcript

Barbara Streisand’s song People was a huge hit back in 1964 when it was released. Taken from the Broadway musical Funny Girl, you probably know the song. It’s got a lovely melody and interesting lyrics. People who need people are the luckiest people in the world, she sings. I think the words here have an underlying message that we need one another in this world for a sense of happiness and connection.

After all, it was the legendary Greek philosopher Aristotle who famously said, man is by nature a social animal. Aristotle believed that society is a natural and necessary part of human existence. Humans form communities to meet their needs because a single individual is not self-sufficient.

Studies by psychologists all say the same thing. We thrive in life when we have people around us, when we make a meaningful connection with others. So what we truly need is connection, a genuine bond with someone that goes beyond spending time with them and enjoying their company.

How do we connect better with other people?

When we really connect with someone, we feel a sense of belonging that improves our well-being. Even the simple act of smiling at someone makes a big difference. We should never overlook the power of a simple human connection in a genuine smile, even between strangers.

Our problem today I think is we believe that our digital platform tools like Facebook and other sites will replace the need for people. We love our devices and it’s about this online connection, not face to face. For example, a family goes out for a pleasant meal, and most, if not all of them open their phones. We feel reluctant to talk and share what’s on our minds, so we stare at our phones.

We’ve become socially fragmented.

Social bonds have weakened, and we’ve become disconnected from our family, our friends and neighbours. In the past, we relied on face-to-face interactions, no internet connections for us back then. We got to know people. We shared our identity because we had to rely on others to help us sometimes. Now many no longer feel a sense of fulfilment in their career. Connections with their colleagues have collapsed, and having reached retirement age, they discover many of their friends have died.

And they have no close friends to share life with. God created us to share life with others. That’s why King Solomon said in the Old Testament, two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. That’s Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Loneliness is at epidemic proportions in our nation, and with that comes harm to the body and mind. God’s plan from the beginning of time was for fellowship, for love and harmony with Him and with each other. His plan included the social network of people needing one another.

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When Jesus sent out the disciples to proclaim the gospel, He sent them out in pairs because two are better than one. God has made us for community and for relationships outside of ourselves. When two are striving together, they are a tremendous blessing to one another, even allowing for differences of opinion which will often arise.

So don’t let differences spoil the fellowship, the differences will ultimately pass. God brings us into the world in order to experience His love, for us to love Him and for us to love others and to be loved by them.

Love of God and love of neighbour go hand in hand, but having love for our neighbour will guide us to the love of God. In John chapter 13 verse 35, Jesus very simply says, By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. Our relationship with one another is what reflects our relationship with God, and it is what will draw others into a relationship with Him.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, how true it is that people really do need people. Why, Lord, do we feel we can battle some of life’s problems on our own, putting up fences between ourselves and others to protect ourselves, when, Lord, you have placed people along our path who can be a great help. Lord, if you are counting on me to be that friend to someone, show me who it is and show me how to make that connection, because I ask it in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen.

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