Ecclesiastes is one of the great poetry books of all time. The true sorrow and doubt expressed is a great lament -- a blues boxset waiting to happen.
Yet even though Solomon (who most agree is the book's author) despaired of life -- thinking that the person who has not yet been born is better than the dead, who is better than the living, since they are not alive, nor have they seen the evil in this life -- he did see the value of friendship.
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work;
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
BUt pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Yesterday I wrote about "what must be our purpose for (still) being here..."
When we receive forgiveness and are wiped clean before God, He doesn't yank us up into heaven with Him to dwell forever -- our life continues on this earth. Why is that? It must be to help others. There is great joy to be found in seeking to help others. And sharing the message and showing the message are paramount to a kingdom that God is establishing using His people. He actually uses us (silly, fallible, weak "us") to effect change in the world and bring His Son's kingdom to fruition. In addition to "adding to the kingdom," we have relationships and friendships that are very edifying. If you think about it, when you pass on you are not allowed to bring your iPod, your money, your gold records, your Super Bowl rings. You arrive naked and possession-less and you leave the same way. But, if you think about it, the one thing we can bring is our relationships. According to the Bible, there will be fellowship in Heaven. I imagine the relationships we cultivate on Earth will be remembered in Heaven. Therefore, the only thing we can "bring with us" is each other!