Lonely

US 50 in Nevada is often referred to as "the loneliest road in America".  Take one look at the pictures of it and you can see why.  There is nothing out there, and one can feel mighty isolated travelling it. 

 

But we don't have to travel US 50 to be lonely, do we?!

 

Tom Hanks once said this:  "Everybody has something that chews them up, and for me that was always loneliness." 

 

Anne Hathaway put it this way:  "Loneliness is my least favorite thing about life.  The thing that I'm most worried about is just being alone without anybody to care for or someone who will care for me."

 

Tom and Anne are big time celebrities.  They are well known and very wealthy.  Yet even they struggle with the fear of loneliness.

 

It's part of the human condition.  We crave community.  The longing to connect with others and enjoy relationships is deeply entrenched within us.  And when that's not happening for us, we hurt.

 

Elvis Presley asked in one of his songs, "Are you lonely tonight?"  Well, how about you?  Do you feel all alone?

 

Everybody's situation is different.  Maybe it's helpful to remember that if we want to make a friend, we need to be a friend.  In other words, we need to put ourselves out there and show interest in other people.  That does improve our chances of connecting with others and building relationships.

 

But I think there's something even more important to remember.  It's on a spiritual level.  And it has helped a lot of people over the years.  This is it:  We have a God who will never leave us alone. 

 

In Psalm 46:7 we read "The Lord Almighty is with us."  Jesus Christ says in Matthew 28:20 "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Hebrews 13:5 is where we are God reminds us "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

 

Maybe you're travelling US 50.  Perhaps you're a big time celebrity.  Or possibly you're just a normal person sitting on your couch at home right now.  I have good news:  You are not alone.  God is here.  And He longs to enjoy closeness with you.  Talk with Him through prayer in the name of Jesus.  Hear Him speak to you through His holy word.  Open yourself up to experience the nearness of His presence and the warmth of His love.  I can promise you this:  Nothing will cure loneliness better than connecting with God.

 

May you feel the presence of God in your life today.  And may your life be rid of loneliness.  Enjoy closeness with The One who loves you more than you can possibly imagine.