Presented by Lisa Bishop

Do you remember the game show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” The show featured a quiz competition where contestants could win a top prize of $1,000,000 if they correctly answered a series of 15 multiple-choice questions. When the contestant picked the right answer, they banked some cash and advanced to the next question. The questions increased in difficulty, and for every correct answer, the amount of prize money increased. If the contestant was stumped and did not know the answer, they were given three lifelines to use throughout the game. The lifelines allowed them to seek help and advice in choosing the correct answer so they could keep playing.

One of the lifelines was appropriately named, “phone a friend.”

If the contestant found themselves in a pickle and did not know the correct answer, the gameshow got the friend on the line, read them the question, and together they would discern the best answer.

Before appearing on the game show the contestant had already discerned and picked who they would call if they needed some wisdom. I assume they gave it some hard-earned and measured thought knowing their chance of advancing in the game or going home empty rode on the wisdom and input from their friend. The probability of staying in the game and winning wasn’t a solo act. It was only possible when the contestant reached out to their lifelines for assistance.

As I reflected on the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” lifelines, it got me thinking about the importance of lifelines in everyday life. So often, these lifelines come in the form of community—the relationships where we act as one another’s lifelines. Who are your lifelines? In other words, who are the people in your life who you prayerfully and intentionally choose to surround yourself with? Who are the people you do life with, invest in, call on for wisdom, or simply for genuine connection?

Who is your community? There is a richness to life and thriving in our faith that is only possible when we take the time and make the effort to build up and sow into relationships. It can be easy and tempting to drift into isolation or not make intentional time to forge and deepen connections. But having people in your life, especially fellow believers, is important if you want to flourish in your personal life, work life, home life, really any aspects of life.

This applies whether you are single, married, have kids, or don’t. If you are married and have a family of your own, even you need to venture out of the walls of your household and create deep connections with others. This can seem obvious, right? Yet, sometimes it is easier said than done.

Now you may be thinking, “I’m good. I have solid relationships in my life.” That’s great! Hang with me, because even if you do, I’m confident you will take something away. And if you are on the opposite end of the spectrum, finding yourself lacking kinship, my hope is that you will be encouraged to find connection and build authentic community.

We know from a biblical perspective, community is not presented as an option. It’s a central part of God's design. From the very beginning in Genesis, after creating Adam, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God deemed that we are created to build relationships and be part of something bigger than ourselves. You and I are wired for connection, companionship, and the unique bond that comes when we share our lives, our experiences, and our faith with each other.

Jesus himself modeled this beautifully. Throughout his ministry, we rarely see him alone. Instead, he gathered himself around a community of disciples. He poured into their lives, taught them, served with them, prayed with them, and even in moments of hardship, he surrounded himself with others. It was in this community that he revealed some of his deepest teachings and shared some of his most powerful moments.