Our ALIVE value this week is “We are Interdependent.”

Being interdependent means we rely on each other and stay well-connected. Even if we don’t always notice it, we all depend on other people more than we think.

It’s important to remember that we need others in our lives – we’re not meant to do everything alone.

God created us to hold each other, to place one hand in another’s, to rest on another person’s shoulder, to laugh in a room filled with other people… to rejoice and celebrate and weep. Together. Not alone.

There’s a story in the Bible that helps us understand this idea. In the story, Naomi had lost her husband and her sons. She felt sad and empty. Her daughter-in-law Ruth chose to stay with her, even though she didn’t have to.

Ruth said to Naomi:

Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ^{Ruth 1:16–17}

Ruth stayed because she knew Naomi needed support. She wanted to walk with Naomi through a difficult time. Together, they found hope again.

This story reminds us that we all need people around us – sometimes to help us, and sometimes we are the ones who can help others.

• Sometimes we are Ruth (supporting others)
• Sometimes we are Naomi (needing support)

This is what interdependence looks like:
We help each other, care for each other, and face life together.

Talk with the people around you: How can we be interdependent with others?

Do you need to support someone? Or do you need to ask for support?

Here are some ideas:

• Checking in on a friend
• Spending time with someone who is lonely
• Encouraging someone who is struggling
• Being kind even when it’s not easy
• Putting others first to show you care

Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you that we are not meant to be alone. Thank you for friends and people who support us. Help us to be kind, loyal, and caring like Ruth. Help us notice people who need support. Teach us to walk together and look after each other.
Amen.

*Image by freepik