In one of the first sentences in Genesis, God says “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helpmate.”

We were not created for isolation - it is not our normal comfort zone! Even monks belonging to strict orders such as the Cistercians and Carthusians live a community life, even when they spend substantial parts of the day in prayer and contemplation; and even prayer and contemplation are not ends in themselves but a means to deeper love of God and neighbour.

In modern society, none of us is self-sufficient, no matter how independent a spirit we have. We depend on others all the time- food, health, education, and transport, to name but a few things.

At the moment, our country is divided over Brexit. Will we be better off, or worse off? It’s easily seen that people take up dogmatic positions on either side.

And yet there should simply be a pragmatic approach. In any club, be it a hound-dog racing club or whatever, you apply to join and pay your subscription and perhaps extra monies for improvements etc. The club is not a person, so you can pull-out. However, having left, you can’t say “I’ve had enough of this club, but still want it to accord all the rights and benefits that membership gives me.”

It doesn’t work like that. There is a price to be paid for everything, even independence.

So it seems to me that the question is, how we retain our national sovereignty while avoiding isolationism. This reflects God’s plan. We are, each of us, a unique individual, and yet our individuality is strengthened and enhanced by interaction with others.

The world, which in former eras, seemed so big and wide, has become a “global village,” through the speed of travel and communication. Something happening on the other side of the world is known to us within minutes if not seconds.

Our planet is too small and fragile to be torn apart by neglect, dissentions and wars. Interaction and co-responsibility are needed rather than isolationism.

So whatever agreements, natural or personal, we come to in order to protect and enhance our sovereignty and individuality; we will need other people if we are to flourish.

This is the nature of the Church - a community of individuals, a congregation of peoples - and form, as St Paul says, “The Body of Christ”- an orchestra in which the talents of each person are needed to realise the music of the composer, in all its beauty.

Rev. Canon John Watson, Chaplain, Boarbank Hall, Allithwaite