Breaking Isolation

“They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.”
Acts 2:42 (The Message)

Have you ever felt completely alone in your faith journey?

Isolation is dangerous. Proverbs 18:1 warns, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment." The early church understood this. In the latter part of Acts 2:42, we read, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer." 

They didn't just hear the Word. They gathered to read and understand Scripture, asking questions and encouraging one another in prayer. There was no such thing as Lone Ranger Christianity.

I learned this lesson in my freshman year at Stetson University. Seven hours and 465 miles from home, I'd never felt so alone. The first time I saw my stoic dad cry was when he hugged me goodbye. 

I sat in my dorm room that first night and learned what it meant to cry yourself to sleep. But God drove me to His Word during that isolation, showing me I desperately needed community.

You can grow spiritually on your own, but only to a limited extent. A small group gives you what isolation never can. You gain accountability, receive comfort, and the chance to see you're not fighting your battles alone.

When you're in a group, you can't hide. If you miss six months of Sunday services, most people won't notice. But a group notices when you're absent, when you're struggling, and when you need prayer.

Tonight, reach out to two people from church. Say, "I don't want to do this alone anymore. Can we meet weekly to study God's Word together?"

Prayer: Father, thank You that You don't leave me isolated. Forgive me for the pride I carry that I don’t need others to grow in faith. Help me see that community isn't optional, but essential. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.