I like being alone. I’m an introvert, and having alone time is naturally comfortable to me. Yet I am aware enough to know that, introvert or not, I need community. We all do. In fact, we were designed for community. From the beginning, God is described as community. This phrasing is strange because it’s not just that God exists in community, but He is community. We call this the “Trinity.” He is three in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Genesis 1:26, when creating humankind, God says, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us” (NLT). He is speaking of Himself in the plural form because He is community. As beings made in the image of God, we take on this attribute in that we were made for community.

Numerous secular studies have proven that physically, mentally, and emotionally, humans are healthier when they have meaningful relationships with others. Our bodies are physically wired to exist in community. If we want an example of the consequences of not being in community, we need only look a few years in the past to the COVID pandemic and the effect the subsequent isolation had on the population. Regardless of personality type, we need each other. We are meant to depend on each other. This can take on new depth when we allow God to use community to grow us closer to Him. 

Through community, we are mentored and discipled. We have spiritual friends who keep us accountable, Bible studies and small groups in which we learn more about God and ourselves. Community is also where we put into practice God in us. As believers committed to walking in the way of Jesus, we are on a journey of transformation. The purpose of that transformation is for it to be experienced with others. We can claim to have matured in kindness, but without others to show kindness to, it’s a moot point.

Some years ago, I was newly pregnant during a difficult season. My husband had been away for weeks providing services to individuals and families affected by wildfires in Northern California. When he finally came home, it wasn’t because he was done providing services, but because he had a heart surgery scheduled. After this surgery, he wouldn’t be able to lift anything for several weeks, including our one-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, I had been taking care of our daughter, and our puppy, and running our church and programs. I felt alone, my body was hurting, I was afraid for my husband, and nobody knew I was pregnant. When sharing about my struggles with a mentor, I broke down crying, overwhelmed by it all. She encouraged me to share about my pregnancy and Steve’s surgery with our church leadership. Taking her wise advice, I did and was immediately surrounded by prayer warriors. People stepped up and took care of us, even with things as simple as carrying heavy boxes for me or watching our daughter for an hour. At one point, one of our church leaders came to us and said, “Thank you for not robbing me of the opportunity to pray for you.” That is community. It took me being willing to be vulnerable and to engage, even when I didn’t necessarily want to. God then showed me where I had been prideful while at the same time meeting my every need. Community is good, necessary, and spiritually forming. We just have to choose to engage. 

Engage

• Where are you currently engaging in community? Remember community can look big (like church) or small (like a friendship).
• How is God using community to form your soul?

Supporting Scripture

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” – John 17:21

This article was originally titled “Designed for Each Other” in the May 2025 issue of The War Cry.