Life Is Better Together - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 15

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Life Is Better Together
By: Laura Bailey 

Bible Reading:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 NIV

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General’s report (Vivek Murthy) found that more than half of U.S. adults feel lonely. He then goes on to say that our nation has a loneliness and isolation epidemic. While loneliness results from a lack of social connection, social isolation is characterized by a lack of time spent with others. A study published in the Harvard Gazette found that loneliness and isolation are typically related. What were the reasons given for the increase in these two areas? The decrease in marriage and church attendance. Or as we know it, as the lack of community.

In an interview with Oprah, Vivek Murthy, responding to questions on how to address the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, believes that three factors contribute to these feelings: relationships, service, and community. “When we focus on connecting to something bigger than ourselves, that’s actually when we find joy,” he told Oprah. “It’s why service is one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness,” Murthy shares.

While Murthy is speaking in general terms, consider these three factors in the context of Acts 2:42-47. Where are there built-in relationships, services, and a sense of community? The local church. It is actually more detrimental to our physical, mental, and spiritual health to live life alone than to be among other people.

Let’s look at the context of our key passage, Acts 2:42-47, to better understand the importance of being part of a Christian community. Examine the words used in the above verses; they were devoted, not just attending church when it was convenient or when they were on good terms with the congregation. Their church attendance was a non-negotiable. And lest you think the ancient church was without its problems, the majority of these people were having to learn to get along with people they’d hated for centuries. The majority of the New Testament addresses this group of people, urging them to reconcile, lay aside past hurts and current differences, and move forward in unity, because they are united in Christ.

Everyone was filled with awe; they were excited to hear God’s Word and be in the presence of the brothers and sisters in Christ. When was the last time you were genuinely excited about going to church? Did you fully grasp the privilege of openly hearing God’s Word? In the West, especially for those who’ve grown up in the pews, we have lost our spiritual fervor; we are most certainly lacking in zeal. We're coming before God on Sunday mornings (and all the times in between), not out of gratitude, but out of obligation.  We’ve become so focused on what the church is not —the numerous ways our preferences go unmet, feelings hurt, pride wounded. We’ve become fixated on the people rather than the Person of Christ we are called to worship. We’ve lost perspective.

The believers in Acts were hyper-focused on their purpose as a church. I am confident that there were conflicts as they sought to know God and make God known, but they didn’t allow disagreements to distract, divide, and deter them from their work. They didn’t walk away from the mission of the church because someone inflicted emotional or spiritual pain. They were so outward-focused that they didn’t have time to linger on their inward feelings. They grasped that the church wasn’t about them individually, but rather what they could contribute corporately.

Another thing we see in this text is that the early believers weren’t just “church friends.” They didn’t regulate the meeting of the saints to a particular day, time, or location – yet, they were in constant community. In our modern day, we refer to this as 'doing life together'–they found their tribe! And what do we see? The gift of community further blesses Christians who move their relationships outside the walls of the church. They hung out in public, invited each other to their most intimate places — homes — and ate together, fulfilling both their physical needs and their spiritual souls. Their hearts are glad because they are united by a mutual love for the Lord and desire to do His work.

Intersecting Life & Faith:
Are you involved in a local church community? If you are, great! Consider how you can continue to encourage and engage with the body of believers. If not, take some time this week to visit churches and get plugged in!

Further Reading:
Proverbs 27:17
10 Reasons You Need Community

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/whyframestudio

Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today.

She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com connect on Facebook and Instagram. 

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

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