The 2007 film Into the Wild tells the true story of Chris McCandless. Upon graduating from college in the early 1990s, McCandless had become disillusioned with his conventional life. Without saying a word to his family, he sold all his belongings, disappeared into the back country of the western United States, and eventually ventured deep into the Alaskan wilderness—alone.
McCandless underestimated the rigors of the Alaskan wilderness and was found dead months later. Before his tragic death, he appeared to have a change of heart regarding his decision to live alone. These were his final words scrawled in his journal: “Happiness only real when shared.”
Being a loner is not what it’s cracked up to be. It was one of the first experiences God spotted as unhealthy— “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone’” (Genesis 2:18).
God wired us with a dual need for companionship with Himself and with other human beings. Sustaining healthy relationships with family and friends is a central part of being created in the image of a Triune God who enjoys a level of togetherness that’s beyond our comprehension. We can’t escape how our Creator made us. The truth is, there can be no real joy in life outside of relationships.
The early church had this down. The book of Acts states, “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity” (Acts 2:46).
God meant for us to share life with others. As Paul wrote, relationships were a source of great joy to him (2 Timothy 1:4). The only thing worse than dying alone is living alone. Share your life with others.
More:
Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people (Philemon 1:7).
Next:
How do the relationships within the Trinity inspire you in your relationships? Why is going it alone a bad decision in God’s eyes?
mprez2006 on May 21, 2010 at 8:32 am
this is GREAT!!!!
katuti on May 21, 2010 at 10:27 am
indeed, I am not a very social person and this devotional is digging into my being … may seem simple or silly, but for me it is very important so thanks for making me see this more clearly and encourage me to make an effort to change.
katuti on May 21, 2010 at 10:41 am
I also encourage others who think they do not need anyone else or people who might have conflicts with members in their family or their church.‘It is not good for the man to be alone’
God put these people in our path, so we must learn from them although that is difficult.
Lord, teach us to love one another as you love us !
maryanneb47 on May 21, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I had always stated that when my husband passed away that I would never marry again. That’s why I’m with my daughter, son , and 4 of my grandchildren in order to make right what I did wrong long ago and have been forgiven of my sins. Lord help me to teach my family the way to eternal life.
Amen.
Ciera on May 21, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I have a question about this.
Why then does God seem to say over and over that he is all you need?
I do not disagree that we need other people but how then does his statements of trusting only in him work?
jeff olson on May 24, 2010 at 7:59 am
Good question, Ciera…I’ve understood it to be a matter of who we place our ultimate trust in. God makes it clear that we need each other, but we get off track when we trust in people more than God.
Akinolawale on January 23, 2011 at 3:04 am
@Ciera, the companionship we talk about here is the physical, intimate and healthy relationship we share with fellow men. This is different from the spiritual dependence on God. Every believer need God for sustence, protection and direction in life. You do not need any man or woman for these. God can take the place of any man in our life, but no man can take the place of God.