Have you ever felt left out by your friends? Maybe you’ve felt invisible to some people, or even very visible but painfully ignored. Have you ever felt alone even in a crowd of people? The ache of loneliness is one that we should all know, for we will all face it at some point in our lives. Perhaps you feel lonely as you enter the season of life where your friends are getting engaged all around you, but you are still very much single. Or perhaps you’re in that season of life where friendships are changing as everyone gets older and your heart hurts from the lonely absence of friends who used to be there for you. Maybe you’re feeling distant from family members and the loneliness of it all makes you sad. Whatever your situation is, the ache of loneliness is painful. I remember feeling this ache in my heart. Loneliness can feel like you’re walking a desert road with no end in sight and no one to walk with you. You feel so alone. But there’s a secret I learned about this road. This secret is one that can make even the darkest alleys of Lonely Road seem brighter. You see, on this road we become so caught up in the absence of those we wished were there that we don’t even look up long enough to realize Who walks beside us. For walking down every Lonely Road with you and with me, is Jesus. And when I met Jesus on that road, I began to think differently about this ache called loneliness. Perhaps instead of being an ache to ignore or fix in all the wrong ways, loneliness is really a calling to a relationship that can heal even the most wounded places of our hearts. When I am surrounded by people and community, I can feel God there. After all, He created community. I’m not denying how wonderful it is to connect with God while connecting with His community of believers at the same time. However, when I am alone or feeling painfully left out and lonely, it is then that I can experience the presence of God greater than I ever have before. It must be a choice I make, that’s for sure. It’s easy to walk on Lonely Road and focus on the pain—the ache. It’s easy to become bitter or angry towards the ones that left or towards the paths we thought we should be on but we clearly aren’t. So I must make that choice. And you must make it too, friend. That when we walk Lonely Road, no matter how great the ache, we will not let that be our focus. Instead we will focus on the God who walks beside us and holds the wounded places of our hearts in His hands. Thrive in Him in this place. Talk to Him. Draw closer, allow your wonder of His presence to be renewed as you find Him in these places you never thought you could. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. And I’m certainly not saying that the ache will go away or the tears will stop falling. But I am saying that you will have Someone who will share that ache with you. And when you meet Jesus on that road called Loneliness, I promise you that you will never be the same. All along you will discover that you were never, ever alone. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Jeanette
3/11/2019 03:16:22 am
Bella, this was so good - thank you! <3 My journey over the past few years has often been a lonely one, but it's been so beautiful to see how it brought me closer to Jesus, once I made the choice to allow it to, and accepted the loneliness instead of trying to fight it. Thank you for sharing! <3 Comments are closed.
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