Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Lonely.
The dictionary (merriam-webster.com) defines the word not only as “being without company” but also as “being cut off from others” and “not frequented by human beings.”
Sad descriptions and yet at some point in life, we all can probably relate.
Jesus knew what it was to experience loneliness, being without the company of others. In the Garden, He was left alone when His disciples all fell asleep while He prayed. You can almost hear it in His voice when He asks, ““So, could you not keep watch with Me for one hour?”
God knew none of us would want to feel lonely. He is moved to action, placing us where we need to be.
“God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.” (Psalm 68:6, NASB)
God will place the lonely in families where they will be welcomed. In churches, where they are accepted and find relationship. In friendships, where they will find kinship and fellowship.
And He promises:
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.“ (John 14:18, NASB)
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)
Jesus experienced loneliness,
so we would never need to be lonely.
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Today I may be joining …
There’s a trophy, mine by right,
with pride of place upon my shelf,
a plaque says so clear and bright,
‘I can hack this by myself.’
It’s not, perhaps, the bestest way
that a bloke would choose to live,
but back in the old-school day
it was what manhood had to give,
and I embraced the trumpet-call
with all of my heart and soul,
and to these words I gave my all,
and you may think it left a hole,
but looking at what it did bring,
I really would not change a thing.
Loneliness is such a huge topic right now. I keep hearing about it, reading about it—and I believe there’s no way around the truth that our hearts are going to ache with loneliness until we find our rest in Jesus.
Amen, Michele. And I am so very grateful He does bring us rest and relationship.
A beautiful post today Joanne. We are never lonely when we know Jesus, how blessed we are!
Blessings, Jennifer
We truly are, Jennifer! ❤️
The rules of covid policy has increased loneliness for many–and yet as you write, God has provision for us. God has designed both families and the church.
May we find relationship with God, with family, and the Church.
Such a comforting post, Joanne! Loneliness can affect even Christians. It’s a wonderful reminder though that Jesus promised never to leave us, so we really are never alone!
I am grateful the post was comforting, but then Jesus’ promises always are a comfort.
being alone is not the same as loneliness. There are plenty of lonely people within the walls of the church as well. How do we reach them? Cause when we are truly lonely, becoming part of a body with it’s own rules and sets is hard. meant to be part of a community or not…. how we facilitate reaching those who don’t easily fit into a church setting? FMF12
Annette, I think those questions are asked by many. And they are questions we need to ask and explore if we are going to reach the lonely. Sometimes I think it is just each of us extending ourselves to those around us – both in the church and as we are out and about. May God’s love flow through and out of us.
Comforting words, Joanne.
Thanks for sharing.
Much appreciated, Sandra.