Loneliness
I guess this isn't a theological post so much as a reflection upon the common human condition of loneliness and how, in practice, we cope with it as christians or human beings, and help others with the same or similar feelings.
I mean, if we have faith, we need never feel lonely in one sense, because we recall that Godde is always with us and cares about us. And yet... and yet... somehow, as humans, we long too for physical company, or someone to hold us at night. That longing and sense of loneliness can be so hard.
And at times when we are enjoying plenty of company, or have a partner, does our very happiness add to the sense of exclusion of others, who may see what we have got, and feel the lack of it. How can we, as christians or humans, really increase our sensitivity to the loneliness that so many people around us may often feel?
And I'm thinking, particularly, of millions of older people all over the world - whose families have grown up and gone away - for whom even a single visit, a squeeze of the hand, a chat in the street, may be like treasure and comfort. How many neighbours, how many relatives, live lonely and isolated lives?
Amid all the grandeur and praise and glory and church growth and committees and missions and business and biblestudy and activity of our churches (not wrong in themselves) is Godde mindful of countless apartments and homes where someone is longing for a call or a visit, or simply a gentle embrace? Is this as much a poverty as lack of money?
Tonight, feeling rather low, I have said goodbye to my daughter who is off to university. I become aware of loneliness, even in the midst of family life. Even in our lives with others, we may get hit by loneliness. I don't think anyone is immune from it. I think it's a big christian issue.
I mean, if we have faith, we need never feel lonely in one sense, because we recall that Godde is always with us and cares about us. And yet... and yet... somehow, as humans, we long too for physical company, or someone to hold us at night. That longing and sense of loneliness can be so hard.
And at times when we are enjoying plenty of company, or have a partner, does our very happiness add to the sense of exclusion of others, who may see what we have got, and feel the lack of it. How can we, as christians or humans, really increase our sensitivity to the loneliness that so many people around us may often feel?
And I'm thinking, particularly, of millions of older people all over the world - whose families have grown up and gone away - for whom even a single visit, a squeeze of the hand, a chat in the street, may be like treasure and comfort. How many neighbours, how many relatives, live lonely and isolated lives?
Amid all the grandeur and praise and glory and church growth and committees and missions and business and biblestudy and activity of our churches (not wrong in themselves) is Godde mindful of countless apartments and homes where someone is longing for a call or a visit, or simply a gentle embrace? Is this as much a poverty as lack of money?
Tonight, feeling rather low, I have said goodbye to my daughter who is off to university. I become aware of loneliness, even in the midst of family life. Even in our lives with others, we may get hit by loneliness. I don't think anyone is immune from it. I think it's a big christian issue.