The Bible is full of stories, events and prophecies that communicate the overarching desire of God for relationships—with Him and with each other. It's why we were created in the first place—to connect, to help one another grow.

I encourage you to strike up a conversation with someone who seems to be by himself or herself attending the Feast this year.

The Feast of Tabernacles has always been an excellent time to get to know others from around the world who are all on a similar path of seeking the Kingdom of God. The positive energy and excitement at each festival meeting place is palpable.

Back in the days of ancient Israel when God taught that nation about His holy days, He made it clear that He expects people to have an outward focus and seek to ensure everyone has an enjoyable Feast. God emphasizes enjoying His blessings with “your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite [one who fulfilled priestly duties] who is within your gates” (Deuteronomy 12:18). He wanted them then and us now to watch out for each other.

I learned that lesson deeply one year while observing the Feast. My friends and I had arrived early for services and found our seats and gotten settled. Others were milling around fulfilling various duties. As one of my friends and I chatted, I spied a young woman sitting by herself across the room. Normally I’m a pretty shy person, but I wanted to step outside my comfort zone a bit and get to know someone new.

In conversation with her, my friend and I learned she was attending the Feast all alone. In fact, the rest of her family was observing the festival half a world away in her native country. She was temporarily living in the country we were in to learn the language for her professional advancement upon returning home. She knew virtually no one at the Feast site.

Despite not speaking each other’s languages fluently, the three of us hit it off and spent every day of the rest of the Feast getting to know each other and having adventures in a country fairly unfamiliar to all of us. I look forward to hopefully running into her at a future Feast site or by some other means (her country is on my travel bucket list!).

Ultimately, I learned that something as simple as reaching out to someone who may be alone can be an incredibly enriching experience. Jesus Christ set the bar high in terms of how God wants us to love each other (John 15:12). Loving someone usually means a sacrifice of some kind: personal comfort, time, energy, etc. Yet it brings great rewards. She taught me a lot during those eight days that I got to spend time with her about courage, having a positive attitude and generosity. It amazes me how a simple and small act of walking up to someone sitting alone can have such a profound effect.

So what does this mean for you? I’d like to encourage you to strike up a conversation with someone who seems to be by himself or herself attending the Feast this year. At the very least you will stretch yourself and show kindness to someone, which is always a good thing. And in the end it may be God’s way of gifting you a lifelong friendship. Have a happy Feast!