Companionship and Friendship

I actually find Ecclesiastes quite an interesting book. It is Solomon finding that everything else is meaningless. So I continued reading on today....and this verse actually caught my eye.

Ecclesiastes 4

⁹ Two are better than one,
       because they have a good return for their work:

 ¹⁰ If one falls down,
       his friend can help him up.
       But pity the man who falls
       and has no one to help him up!

 ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
       But how can one keep warm alone?

 ¹² Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves.
       A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Basically the author, King Solomon of this book find that practically everything is meaningless. Whatever done is like chasing the wind. Pointless, directionless, meaningless, purposeless. He was rather negative about things throughout the chapter, until verse 9 in Ecclesiastes 4.

What I interpreted when I was reading would be that, everything else is meaningless, everything else is pointless in life. People still go through sufferings, injustice is still everywhere, fools who are prideful are still unable to live well. Nonetheless, when you have friends, companions, things would be somewhat better. Here it says, two are better than one, if one falls, somebody if there to pull him up. If one is overpowered, the two can defend themselves.

It goes on to tell me that the wise king of all time, King Solomon, actually felt that it is not riches, not wealth, not justice, not anything that are meaningful in life. All those things are like chasing wind, he said. What is the point being rich? You can't bring it to death with you. What is the point for this and that. But when King Solomon sounded positive in these verses, it impressed upon my heart that he actually finds relationship the most meaningful of all. It is true you see. What is life without real friends, without people we love, people who loves us in return, without a companion?

You see, we can be very successful, we can be really rich, we can be really famous. But without true friends, without companions, without real relationship, who can we share our successes with? Who will celebrate with us? Who will be there to encourage us when we are down? Who will know the true us and accept us for who we are? Is life about wearing masks? Or is life about true relationship? See...the world is not looking for more technology, or money, or successes....the world is looking for more love...for a genuine relationship. Give a broken person some love, he will heal better and faster. Give an orphan some love, he or she will feel so grateful and find sense of strength and hope.

So what are we looking for even as a church, or a cell group? Yes, the word of God is very important. But what makes us come back again and again to services to cell groups? It is the relationship. The fellowship we have with God, and the fellowship we have with one another. It is truly relationship and genuine connection that will cause someone to stay. Because, they found a place that they can finally call home, finally be themselves....finally feel belong. That's the reason why day in day out, I often tell my cell members...don't try to retain new friends for the sake of retaining. For the sake of just increasing numbers. Do it genuinely. Have a heart to love people. Go out there and really love people. With that, the person will keep coming back.

Two are indeed better than one. Today, I wouldn't be here doing what I am doing if it was not for great support and genuine relationship with people. Relationship with my leaders, with my cell members, with my loved ones, family etc....It is because of true relationship, a real friend...a person who would stick through with us through thick and thin, a person who will love us through your strengths and weaknesses....through good and bad days...that makes us stronger...and makes us who we are today. 

You want to raise normal and mentally healthy children? Give them love. Build an environment whereby they can be comfortable being themselves, and yet be accepted. With that, life can be meaningful. Everything else will fade away, everything else is temporary. But your relationship with someone, will leave a footprint, and a mark even when you leave this world. It defines your legacy. Your relationship with God, will be brought to eternity. So invest on good relationships. Prioritize family, friends and important people in your life. When life gets ugly, you need these people to help you sustain and pull through. :))

Therefore, here is my chance. To tell all my dearest family, friends, members, leaders, loved ones out there.....you know who you are....that I love you, and I do appreciate every single moment and experiences we go through together. 

Cheers. Hope you are blessed today!