Making friends as an adult is difficult. The disruption of the pandemic made it even harder. For many, social media, online work, and online life seem to take up an increasing number of hours each week. Many of us spend these hours communicating electronically while physically alone, which may lead to loneliness.
Scripture reassures us, over and over, that God is with us. The Prophets and the Gospels recognize Jesus as Immanuel – “God with us.” Again and again, we hear that God: makes people God’s own, is our strength and shield, sees us, and listens to our prayers. We hear that Jesus loves us, feeds us and weeps with us. We’re told that the Holy Spirit groans for this creation we inhabit. The biblical witness is clear: God is not far away – or away at all. God is here.
Yet, in the end, I’ve found that loneliness isn’t something to be fixed. It’s more about the Lutheran paradigm of accompaniment. When we are lonely and low in faith, we can reach out to God and others.
This message is excerpted from “Loneliness visits us all.” by Denise Rector in the July/August 2024 Gather magazine.
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