“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”  Romans 12:5

I was surrounded by people—lots of people, actually. I served in many capacities and touched lives in big ways. My general community was children, but I also regularly rubbed shoulders with their parents. I taught Bible studies, spoke at women’s events, and wrote books. From the outside looking in, I was a productive and busy little bee. However, there was a big problem that not even my husband knew: I was incredibly lonely.

According to a 2023 survey, loneliness has become an epidemic.  It is defined as a state of mind characterized by a distance between what an individual expects from their relationships and the reality of what they are experiencing.  Although we as a culture try to numb our loneliness with any number of solutions (alcohol, drugs, pornography, people, workaholism, wealth, career, children, isolation, social media, Netflix or TV, despair, no silence, comparison), none of these solutions have any healthful or lasting effects to curing this potentially deadly condition.

As far back as my middle school years, I remember having moved to a new community and not readily fitting into the “norm” of a new school.  They melded into high school, where the loneliness became even bleaker.  I thought I would never have to face loneliness again once I got married and had children, but I was wrong.

Having spent the more significant part of my life living in a perpetual state of loneliness, I have found the only solace that comforts my lonely heart is that of being in a right relationship with Jesus.  While I may be surrounded by others, and at times, this is a wonderful feeling, an accepted position of love and friendship.  It is, however, often fleeting.

According to Romans 12, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, God gives us a clear purpose for His call on our lives.  When we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, which, according to the Apostle Paul, is a holy and pleasing gift to God, we are performing spiritual worship and being transformed daily so that we can know God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.  For this purpose, God further instructs the Apostle Paul to exhort us as the Body of Christ.  Where we have differing gifts, we are all one in Christ.

It’s incredible to think that even Jesus, who put off the glories of Heaven to become a man, needed connections with others.  The Author of Creation designed humanity with a deep desire to need Him but also to need community.  Within the community of Christ, we find acceptance, love, grace, mercy, rejoicing, prayer, comfort, compassion, teaching, admonishing, and so much more (Romans 12:9-21).

Have you been battling loneliness?  How have you been combating this condition in your life?  Have you isolated yourself from the Body of Christ?  When did you last reach out to someone in friendship, prayer, or fellowship?  If it has been a while, take a baby step now and pray, asking God to bring someone into your life that would be your lifeline today.  Perhaps you are overwhelmed with the joy of being loved deeply by those around you.  Take a moment to discern who around you may be battling with loneliness.  Reach out and offer the love of Jesus through your intentionality of being the Body of Christ.

Lord, even you felt the betrayal of your disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, the loneliness of a situation too heavy to bear, yet your first thought was to call out to God the Father.  Please help us to remember that we always have access to our Heavenly Father during our dark hours of despair.  May the Body of Christ see how it is to function as the Family of God.  Ease my loneliness with your presence and help me to see beyond my isolation and loneliness to the hurts of others.  Amen