Calling All Brothers and Sisters

I have always been told that I was “born in the wrong century.”

In fact, my mom used to claim that if I had been born in the 18th century, I probably would have been friends with one of those famed, isolated, often-sickly English writers. The days of formal parties, handwritten letters, and visiting neighbors on a whim have always been personally fascinating.

But alas, the romantic in me will have to keep my nose to the books to learn about these beautiful days and ways of the past.

In today’s world, social events like those mentioned above are essentially gone.

We rarely visit neighbors.

We don’t write to loved ones just for fun.

We surely don’t socialize as often or as grandly as they did in the olden days!

No, instead, our day-to-day lives are filled with things that keep us occupied and busy, and often disconnect us from the community. Sure, we might connect with T-ball mom sitting next to us at a game or the co-worker in the next cubicle. But when it comes down to it, it seems like we, as Americans, are missing out on those “true” connections with those around us.

There is a lack of community.

In 2024, Pew Research reported stats concerning Americans and their connections in their community or country. Its findings stated that:

•                “Only 42% of U.S. adults under 30 feel close to people in their community, compared with larger shares of older Americans.

•                51% of Americans without a college degree feel close to other people in their local community, compared with 61% of those with a college degree. A similar educational gap is evident in several other countries.

•                Lower-income Americans are less likely than those with upper incomes to feel this connection (50% vs. 63%).

•                While urban residents may live physically closer to others, they’re less likely than suburban or rural residents to say they feel connected to people in their community.”

Pew also analyzed religion in this article. It continued in its reporting stating that, “Religiously unaffiliated Americans are much less likely than those who are religiously affiliated to feel connected to others in their local community (43% vs. 60%).”

This number, albeit smaller than I initially expected, demonstrates that when individuals are gathered together and united by their shared beliefs, a connection emerges.

There is no doubt that for the Christian faith, the reason for this connection is due to one of the greatest gifts we have been given.  It may be the second to that of our salvation. That is, the gift of fellowship with other believers.

Through Him, we’ve innately been given community. We’ve been given brothers and sisters!

As someone with five siblings, I know that this gift can sometimes seem troublesome. Most days, they’re there to tattle, rattle, and battle you. But when the going gets tough, siblings are who show up. They will fight with you, but they will also fight for you – no matter what.

When it comes to those walking alongside us in our faith, such as friends, family, and church members, I think this is the type of sibling relationship that the Lord desires for us to have with His children.

We need someone to go to the Heavenly Father on our behalf and intercede when we have done wrong, praying that the Lord would show them how to step up and address the situation personally.

We want someone to rattle us when we’re too stubborn to see that what we have done isn’t helping the situation.

Lastly, we need someone by our side to fight against the darkness that seems to, at times, overtake us and the culture around us.

Hebrews 10:24-25 explains,

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

When it comes down to it, we are made to crave community.

While we can enjoy that time together with everyone, we desperately need the strength and love from our spiritual brothers and sisters to step up and challenge us, especially as the day of Jesus’ return is drawing nearer.

Until that day arrives, may we focus on encouraging others (both Christian and non-Christian) in our daily walks alongside them!