More Than Likes: Finding True Community in Christ

We’ve all been there: scrolling through updates, dropping emojis in the group chat, laughing at memes with people we haven’t seen in years. Online friendships are fun and they can keep us connected (in a sense), but if we’re honest, sometimes they leave us feeling lonelier than before.

Social media gives us pieces of each other’s lives, but never the whole picture. We don’t see the tears behind the smiling photo or hear the tone of voice behind the post. Real-life friendship is different. It’s the friend who hugs you when you’re crying, the one who sits with you when you don’t have the words, the one who says, “Let’s pray about this together.”

Scripture reminds us:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (ESV)

We were created for community that goes beyond likes and comments. Community that reflects Jesus — who didn’t just send messages from afar, but came in person to walk with us, eat with us, and ultimately give His life for us.

So while the group chat has its place, it can never replace the gift of a friend sitting across the table saying, “I see you. I’m here.”

Reflection Questions

1. When was the last time you spent face-to-face time with a friend who encourages you to get closer to Christ?
2. Do you ever find yourself comparing your life to someone’s “highlight reel” online? How can you remind yourself of what’s real?
3. What’s one small step you could take this week to strengthen a real life friendship?

A Prayer

Lord, thank You for creating us for community. Help me not to settle for shallow connection when You’ve made me for deep, soul-filling friendship. Give me courage to reach out, wisdom to invest in the right relationships, and eyes to see the people You’ve placed in my life. Most of all, remind me that true belonging is found in You. Amen.