You Can't Change Alone: Why Community is Your Secret Weapon
We live in the most connected generation in history. Social media puts hundreds of "friends" at our fingertips. Yet loneliness has reached epidemic levels. The American medical community now classifies it as a public health crisis.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: isolation is the enemy of change.
You can survive life on your own. You might even succeed in certain areas flying solo. But genuine transformation? That almost always requires other people.
The Moses Problem
The biblical story of Moses reveals this perfectly. God appears to him in a burning bush with an incredible mission: rescue an entire nation from slavery. Moses has every reason to say yes—divine encounter, miraculous signs, guaranteed success.
But he can't do it.
Moses pushes back six times. His past failures haunt him. His insecurities paralyze him. Even with God standing right in front of him, he's too stuck to move forward.
What finally breaks the gridlock? God sends Aaron, Moses' brother, to stand alongside him. Only when Moses realizes he won't be alone does he finally step into his calling.
The People You're Missing
Maybe you're trying to break a destructive habit. Launch a new career. Heal from past trauma. Build healthier relationships. Get your finances in order. Whatever it is, if you've been spinning your wheels alone, you might be missing the most critical ingredient: the right people.
God often answers our insecurities not by removing them, but by placing people alongside us who are strong where we're vulnerable. We don't need to be good at everything. We just need people who complement us.
Breaking the Solitary Mindset
Here's where it gets tricky. Some of us are solitary even in community. We attend events but never open our hearts. We're surrounded by people but never let anyone truly in.
Pride tells us we should handle it ourselves. Fear whispers that people will judge us if they see our mess. Shame says we need to be perfect before we deserve connection.
All lies.
Real change happens through relationships, not before them. Moses didn't suddenly become confident and then partner with Aaron. He was still insecure, still doubting. But stepping into partnership began his transformation.
Your Next Step
If you're in Charleston searching for authentic community—whether you're exploring faith for the first time, returning after years away, or simply tired of surface-level connections—here's what you need to know:
You don't need to have it all together. Real community isn't about pretending you're perfect. It's about being honest about where you're struggling and letting others stand with you.
Someone is waiting for you. Maybe you're the Moses in this story, needing support. Or maybe you're the Aaron, and someone needs what you have to offer. Either way, connection changes everything.
People support you, but they don't save you. Build real friendships, but point each other toward something—Someone—greater. People will sometimes let you down. Grace covers that.
This year, embrace the need for others. Allow people to actually help. Stop waiting until you're "ready."
Your breakthrough might not be another self-help strategy. It might just be the person God has already placed in your path.