Alone

 "I've never felt more alone in my life," I heard the church member say. This person does not have close friends in their current context. There are close friends from the past, but not in daily life at this time. Family members live away. It was hard to hear. Very sad. 

Even though this person sits in worship weekly surrounded by dozens of other people, there does not seem to be a close connection with any of them. It is fascinating how a person could be in a room surrounded by many others and yet still feel alone. On the outside looking in. Not included in the inner circle, but remaining on the outer fringes. 

There are people forced to live life alone. Solo. In solitary seclusion from much of society. Isolated. Disconnected. These are the kinds of people Jesus noticed in scriptures. Lepers. Demon possessed. The blind and lame. The diseased. The scorned sinners. Jesus approached them and engaged them. He loved some of the most unlovable characters. He made time for the insignificant. 

Have you ever felt alone. Longing for some kind of companionship. It is not a pleasant experience. There are times we all crave to be alone with some peace and quiet. Not every day and all day. That wears on a person after a while. God created us for communion with Him and with other people. We all need the fellowship and friendship of other people. Tragically some people trudge through life without these. They put on brave faces hiding the truth from others they come in contact with from time to time. The truth is their soul cries out in anguishing longing for companionship. 

In our fast paced rat race lifestyles many times we are oblivious to the lonely people God brings across our path. Who doesn't know the inconvenience of getting stuck in a prolonged conversation with somebody who just needs to talk. Instead of listening the temptation is to work our way out of that spot as quickly as possible. 

When I read about the way Jesus interacted with people, He never seemed in a hurry. He made time for people. Even when the crowds pressed in on Him. He patiently interacted with the needy. He took the time to listen. Sometimes we need Jesus with skin on in the form of a person. May the Lord send such people to lonely souls all over the planet. May we  be some of those people He chooses to use.