We, who live in cities, are rarely alone. The streets throng with people. Our mobile phones and email accounts keep us within reach. We have spoken to thousands of people over the years. Yet, many of us struggle with loneliness. David too cried out, “Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16),
How do we overcome loneliness? How do we find meaningful companionship? It begins with a deep revelation of God’s love. Paul prayed that we “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19).
Experiencing the sacrificial love of Jesus heals us. It shows us how precious we are, how He knows us intimately (Psalm 139). God tells us repeatedly that He will never leave us or forsake us because of His faithfulness and mercy (Deu 31:6.8; Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5). He is always with us.
How do we respond? The answer is in Jesus’ teaching of the two greatest commandments: to “…love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength”, and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31). Jesus challenges us further – to love others as He loves us (John 13:34).
To love is to reach out to others, to include them in our lives, to extend beyond thinking of ourselves. It means loving our families, for that is where God set us (Psalm 68:6). It means we stop wearing masks, stop pretending to be perfect. God shows us how to love others – not selfishly, but sacrificially, not because people ‘deserve’ it but because they are precious to God. As we bathe in God’s love, and humbly demonstrate His mercy to others, we find true companionship.
