Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families;
He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:5-6 NLT
Early in my career, I was asked to take on a project for my employer in northern North Dakota and Minnesota.
As I trekked north to Fargo, my new home base, I began to realize just how far away from friends, family, and all that I had known I truly was. Not only was I several hours from those I loved, but my project kept me incredibly isolated. Driving hundreds of miles daily through the Red River Valley, I saw a lot of wheat, sugar beets, and corn. I did not see a lot of humans.
The loneliness was real, and it was hard. One day, several weeks in, I found myself in a small-town cafe. Sitting in the booth, I realized the only interaction I had had with a human for days was when the wait staff took my order. As I watched, families poured in and out of the restaurant. Even though I was surrounded by people, the loneliness was overwhelming.
A couple months later the project ended, and I was sent to central Iowa for another special detail. This time, I was able to live with my (now) husband’s family. My job was the same, but what a difference. God had sent the lonely into a family. It was incredibly life-giving to be connected with others.
Loneliness hurts because our God-design includes being in community. In fact, the passage in Psalm 68 specifically states he puts the lonely in families. Meaning, he has a plan for us. That plan includes being connected to others – specifically other brothers and sisters in Christ.
If you find yourself in a hard and lonely place today, I want you to hear that your brothers and sisters in Christ value you. God, himself, wants you to be connected to his family.
But here is the twist. It is not just on the lonely among us to reach out. I know there were wonderful people around me in that café. If just one of them had said hello or made eye contact, it would have meant the world.
As God’s family, I challenge all of us to see the people around us.
Questions for reflection:
- Who might be at work or in your neighborhood that is lonely?
- Who do you see sitting alone during services at Hope?
- How might we be an answer to a lonely prayer?
- Who might God be bringing to mind right now?
Gracious and Holy God,
Thank you for seeing and knowing all our needs.
LORD, please bring marvelous comrades of faith around all those who are lonely and in need of connection.
LORD, show me how I can love others and be family for them, and when I feel lonely, please pour your love and grace into those painful places for me also.
AMEN
This week ask God to give you the grace to check in with people – even just a simple text or 5-minute phone call. See what beautiful “God encounter” might happen through your simple act of reaching out.