Loneliness

The emptiness and loneliness of our society today leave many of us struggling to find ways to feel like a part of a community.  Loneliness has become an epidemic and a part of many individuals' lives who believe they must face the world alone.  They have to face and fight the battle of life by themselves, sitting in their homes, lonely, and not knowing what to do.  Where do these people find community with the breakdown of the family, the church, and society?  In a bar, a social club, or maybe finding encouragement online through social media?  So many of us are in our little world, alone, with no one to have deep conversations with.  We have few, if any, people who deeply care for us.  No one to sit down with and drink a hot cup of tea and discuss religion, faith, politics, life, family, our problems, to encourage, to love, and to share our brokenness and our joy.  We all see this and recognize that the society around us is falling apart. Many of us have many acquaintances, but very few have deep relationships with anyone about anything. 

Why are so many of us so superficial in our relationships? If asked, we say we are busy with life, making money, buying the next house, getting a better car, or focusing on another certification.  But does all this busyness lead to fulfillment? Does it help with loneliness, or does it just make it worse?  I want to encourage everyone who reads this message today to reach out to someone you have not talked to in a while, engage with them, share with them, encourage them, and see how their day is going.  Are you willing to engage with others at a deeper level, or will some of you continue a life of superficial relationships that, at the end of the day, do not help anyone?  Are we willing to ask the tough questions, encourage, and build up others at our own expense and time?  Are you willing to risk being hurt by others to show them the love of Christ in your heart?

Consider Hebrews 10:24-25 “24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”         

Christ calls us to meet together, not to hang out and talk about the new car we got. But to gather together, encourage one another, ask people how they are doing, and dive deeply into each other's lives.  To know their pain, their joys, and likewise for them to know our hurts, our joys, so we can continue to build up the body of Christ together.  I encourage everyone to reach out to someone on your heart today, listen to them, encourage them, walk with them, buy them a cup of tea, and love them, even if they do not love you.  We as believers must show Christ's love even if those around us do not.  Let us all make a dent in the epidemic of loneliness by encouraging one another and helping them feel they are loved and needed in the body of Christ.