I have been hooked on this show since the very first minute of the very first episode - complex storylines, wonderfully flawed characters, thought provoking dialogue, deep theological and philosophical questions, lots of action and mysteries galore. 

In a scene from the first season, Dr. Jack Shephard (the unofficial leader of the group) delivers a stirring speech that concludes with the admonition, “Live together.  Die alone.”

In the context of the show, Jack’s statement makes sense: a diverse group of people who survived an airplane crash are trying to adapt to a very strange island and it is essential that they stay together (physically and emotionally) or bad things will happen to them individually.

In the context of church life, the quote also makes sense:

·         we can understand church as the place we go from time to time.

·         we can try to endure the struggles of life alone.

·         we can remain focused on our needs only.

Or,

·         we can understand the church as a community of faith in which people come together to be encouraged and to encourage others. 

·         This community of faith realizes that it is in the “living together” that lives are touched and changed. 

·         It is in the living together and loving each other and reaching out to others that true life in Christ is found. 

Let’s choose to “Live together.”  The alternative is simply too sad to bear.