For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

The tumultuous and unprecedented last few years have had some painful side effects – in particular, the feelings of loneliness and isolation we see spreading across communities.

This can have a devastating impact on people’s health, life-expectancy, and sense of wellbeing. You’ve probably seen it in the lives of people around you.

A community, a country, and a world suffering because people are disconnected from each other is not the way God intended things to be.

From the very beginning, God created mankind to live in community, to share our lives with others, to grow with and towards each other every day. When God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone’ (Genesis 2:18) He wasn’t just making a biological observation – Adam needed Eve not simply to populate the earth, but because togetherness was part of the fabric of humanity.

It’s no wonder our disconnection is leading to suffering. Truly, ‘it is not good for man to be alone.’

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul highlights that just as togetherness is part of who we are, ‘doing good works’ is fundamental to our design. Our Christ-defined purpose is to serve and to care for others.

Our design and need for connection and service are the double helix of our Christian DNA; every one of the good works God has placed before us is an opportunity to create community and build belonging. And in doing so, bring the world closer to the way He intended it to be.

Lord, help me to live as You designed – in community with You and with those around me. Amen.

P.S. If you’d like to support an ADRA project that is providing service and connection for people in need, here in Australia and around the world, you can donate at adra.org.au/donate or call 1800 242 372