"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.' "

Genesis 2:18

So far in the story of creation, everything God has made is good. But then we learn something surprising: "It is not good for the man to be alone." Thus God resolves to make a partner for the man.

Not good for the man to be alone? But he wasn't alone. He had God, after all. Wouldn't relationship with God be enough? Not from God's point of view, apparently. Though we find our true meaning and fulfillment in life through relationship with God, we have been created for relationship with others as well. We are most fully the people God created us to be when we are "not alone," but sharing life with others even as we share life with God.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

Even though there may be lots of people in your life, are you living as if alone? Are you sharing your life and yourself deeply with others?

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, this is one of those passages in Scripture that takes us off guard. In our individualistic culture, we're apt to think that it would be just fine for the man to be alone, as long as he had relationship with you. But in this passage, we see that you created us to be in relationship, not just with you, but also with others. In human interaction, we experience the fullness of life as you intended it, even the fullness of relationship with you. Thank you, gracious God, for the gift of human relationship. Help us to experience this gift even today. Amen.

Note: This reflection was originally published in 2008.