What Comes Most Easily

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire, he breaks out against all sound judgment. 
Prov 18:1

On the first day of our Ladies’ Bible study whose focus was “Community”, I read this verse in the regular course of my reading schedule.

I smiled at its timeliness.

It says it well, doesn’t it?
And then I cringed as I realized it speaks against the natural tendency of all of us--
Withdrawal. Keeping to ourselves. Hiding. (Though we wouldn’t call it that.)

I suppose one could psychologize for paragraphs on why this is.
One could theologize throughout the pages of Scripture on why this is.
But….my simple thought for this post…to myself and all of us:

Follow the sound judgment of this Proverb to resist this tendency:

Instead, plunge into the mainstream of “Body Life” (Rom 12/I Cor 12). Take steps toward others, toward active involvement, toward transparency and trust.  Trust God to take the risk.

We do this to the joy of our own soul and the encouragement of others.  God’s wise counsel is to get involved in the gathering of group body life AND in individual relationship with others.

Instead of sputtering, struggling-- then eventual settling-- in the murky waters of alone-ness.
(Can’t you remember the counsel of your mom  when you were a child? “Don’t swim alone”)

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire, he breaks out against all sound judgement. 
Prov 18:1