You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast made possible by listeners like

you.

We hope to help you discover sacred moments in the middle of ordinary days.

If you would enjoy more seasonal and topical meditations, I encourage you to download

the Encountering Peace mobile app where all of the meditations are free as they should

be.

Desmond Tutu was a South African Anglican cleric and theologian known for his work as

an anti-apartheid and human rights activist.

He once wrote that God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are

family.

We are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion that is so true, but today

more than ever it seems.

We need to recognize that the gift of togetherness begins with the recovery of our true self.

When we first accept who we are as our true selves in Christ, we are then divinely drawn

into fellowship with others because in God's family, there are no outsiders, no enemies.

But in these days, are you intentionally reaching your hand out to another or is someone reaching

their hand out towards you?

Well this meditation from Ecclesiastes chapter 4 is a reflection on choosing to be in fellowship.

We cannot be fully human alone.

We are made for family.

We have so that we can make up what is lacking in others.

We have strength so that we can help the weak among us.

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