Not Good to be Alone

"The LORD God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone.'" - Genesis 2:18, NIV

For more photos from our Dwell Celebration, click above!

My friends who are in seminary might raise and eyebrow and call me out for eisegesis (inputting my own interpretation, or 'reading into it') with this piece of Scripture, but please bear with me. Yes, I recognize that when God says this in Genesis, it was in reference to Adam needing a direct companion. But that companion would be Eve, and from that union would came children, more children, and eventually, all of society. I think God may have been suggesting more togetherness than even a spouse. With many parables and other Biblical stories that go on to celebrate redemption and reunion, I believe it becomes clear that God is a God who enjoys bringing us together.

For more photos of our latest Discover groups in action, click on any of the photos above.

So it would happen that, this week, we were graced with the infectious joy, enthusiastic service, and vibrant humor of two wonderful Discover groups from Canada, more specifically, from British Columbia and Winnipeg. While volunteering throughout Los Angeles, several small teams generously helped our neighborhood ministry by working on repairs at La Casa de la Comunidad, under Wendy's leadership, and helping to prepare for our Celebrate and Be Celebrated party for all the Dwellers. This gathering would draw together nearly one hundred friends from the neighborhood, supportive mentors and prayer partners, friends from Hollywood Presbyterian Church, Grace Community Church, Reality LA, Silverlake Presbyterian Church, Christian Assembly of Eagle Rock and others, DOOR Hollywood Board members, and Dwellers' co-workers from places like PATH, Salvation Army, and Door Of Hope. While we specifically celebrated the successes of the Dwell team before they start heading back home, the undercurrent was truly a celebration of how God worked through all these amazing servants' hearts. How God delights in bringing people together in the name of Jesus, how God pours out blessings upon those who give of themselves to help build bridges, help bring togetherness, and help encourage one another. Alone, none of this is possible. But in unity.....

Alex joked during his presentation that he felt like he was receiving an Oscar and, thus, scrambling to thank everyone he could think of before the music shooed him off the stage. Hmmm. America, indeed, identifies so strongly as a place to celebrate the overcomer, the lone ranger, the "pull-yourself-up-from-your-own-bootstraps" brand of success. And even in this land of rugged individualism, every Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy acceptance speech; every MVP award ceremony; even every political victory rally all have one thing in common: one person spends most of their allotted time thanking the batallion of others who helped them along the way. "This would not have been possible without your help."

We are designed to need one another. We are designed to work in concert and in unity. What a blessing that is. We don't have to go at it all alone.

And the two pinatas bursting forth with pounds and pounds of candy at the end of the party seemed to be a glimpse of the overwhelming outpouring that is the heart of God.

Please pray for Wendy as she heads back to the Air Force Academy this afternoon. Please pray for safe travels for our new Canadian friends, too!

-Matthew

To find out how to get more involved with our neighborhood ministry, click above.