Alone in a Crowd ~ Part One

Read: Ephesians 3:16-19

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:10

I know so many people ~ single and married, young and old ~ who all suffer from the blight of loneliness. Even people who work in a crowd all day still experience the scourge of loneliness. Their virtually invisible existence gives them a ghost-like quality. No one notices them. They wander through a crowd, purposely bumping into others, just to see if anyone cares!

The loneliest times occur when we have no one with whom to share our intimate feelings, experiences, dreams, fears and goals. In this technological age, we have computer chips that connect us instantly to everyone and anyone in the world. Yet, we still feel isolated and secluded. People sit for hours in front of a computer screen emailing and instant messaging their family, friends and associates. The problem, though, is that they never feel the touch of a human embrace. Sometimes, all we need is a hug.

***

My husband told me a story about a dog that was not adoptable. He went from home to shelter to another home and back to another shelter too many times. He cowered in the corner of his cage and snarled and snapped at anyone who tried to touch him. He ate little and was not much more than skin and bones.

Over time, he went to yet another veterinarian for another adoption check-up. During the course of her examination, the vet gave the little dog a hug. The dog backed up and looked her in the eye, then he inched forward and she hugged him again. The tiny animal raised his head and gazed adoringly into her face. As the veterinarian watched the transformation going on in the little fellow’s mind, her heart melted. That afternoon “Tiny” found a forever home with one of the veterinarian’s friends, and Dr. Gomez remained his vet for the remainder of the little dog’s life.

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God created Adam and gave him all of creation to enjoy. Yet, He realized that Adam remained incomplete. So, God fashioned Eve to intimately share Adam’s experiences and feelings. When He finished, God sat back and exclaimed, “Hey, now this is really good!”

This example proves to us that from the beginning, God designed each of us to get to know one another, to understand what impacts each other’s lives, to care about our deepest concerns, as well as our physical and spiritual needs. Many caregivers pour out their lives to needy friends and family, yet encounter no one to care for them in return. The Good News for this malady of loneliness came in the person of Jesus Christ.

Intimacy with God Himself is our most nurturing resource. Whether married or single we can experience a personal relationship with the God of the Universe through His Son Jesus Christ. This occurs when we sincerely ask for forgiveness of our sins and request Christ to inhabit our lives. Then His Holy Spirit moves into our spirit. Christ within is the most intimate of all relationships, because it is the only bond that comes from within. God knows our deepest thoughts and our most intimate needs. He made us and knew us before He formed the world itself. God continually promises in His Word, the Bible, to care for us in every way.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we can trust You with our whole life. You work all things out for our good. You assure us that eternal life starts from the moment of our connection with Your Spirit, and that we share this miracle with the whole Body of Christ everywhere.

Thought for the Day:

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9