WEBVTT 00:00:04.959 --> 00:00:10.640 Establishing genuine friendships as an adult can be extremely challenging. 00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:17.839 If you're in a lonely stretch right now, trying to build community seemingly from scratch. 00:00:18.399 --> 00:00:23.760 Ecclesiastes four, nine through ten names why it may be painful. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:29.839 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:33.920 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:39.600 But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:51.520 These are Solomon's words, a man who had all the wealth and power and wisdom and still found life hollow when he tried to carry it alone. 00:00:52.240 --> 00:00:56.719 He is pointing at something God built into us from the start. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:00.479 We were never designed to be self-sufficient. 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:03.039 We were made for connection. 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:06.799 So the longing you feel isn't a flaw. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:09.920 It's a signal of how he made you. 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:15.359 And even in the waiting, you are not actually walking alone. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:23.840 He is the one friend who never gets too busy and never lets you fall without reaching for you. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:36.799 Let's begin by thanking God that he is a steady presence who never leaves, never gets too busy for you, and never turns you away. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:45.200 Thank him that even in the loneliest stretch, you have already been chosen and deeply loved by him. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:21.680 What fear about friendship, of reaching out, of being left out, do you need to hand him right now? 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:33.840 Ask him for courage this week to say hello, to show up, to step into the places where community can actually start. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:37.840 Picture the moment in the verse: someone stumbling, and a hand reaching down to pull them back up, and know his hand is already that close to you. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:43.280 Quietly tell him, I'm not walking this alone. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:45.280 You are with me. 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:28.399 Take a moment to pray for them, that God would comfort them and remind them they're loved. 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:31.439 We give you our lonely days and our longing for community, trusting that you see us, you're walking with us, and your timing is good. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:33.600 Amen.