Isolation robs us of rewarding lives.

But it is hard to avoid some measure of isolation in a society whose first god is materialism, and second is individualism. We are enculturated from a young age to believe that we CAN and SHOULD do it all on our own. And if we can’t, something is wrong with us.

And this ideology permeates everything, including faith, where a “me and Jesus” mentality rules the day, though the scriptures are clear that it is “we and Jesus,” and that we belong to one another.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, this “get it done on your own,” “I can do bad all by myself,” “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” individualists mentality is not new to the human saga, it is an issue as old as personhood itself. It was an issue during the Teacher's times as well, as life, culture, the economy was driven, above all things, by rabid individualism, and solitary existences.

But standing in contrast to the message of the culture, is the message of the Teacher—Relationships gift us rewarding lives.

Vanity | Better Together | Ecclesiastes 4:7-16