Sometimes being alone and in solitude is good for the soul. Jesus went away to a quiet place to pray. ( See Mark 1:35). As I sit here in a restaurant waiting for a friend I see several people alone eating. Perhaps by choice, but maybe not.The saying goes "To be a friend you need to show yourself friendly." Don't always wait for someone to invite you first. It made me think of the importance of community, friends, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends and fiancees. The Bible said in Genesis 'it is not good for man to be alone.' Genesis 2:18 says "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Now I can imagine if you lived in a huge noisy city like New York after a while you may just need to get away from people. Thank goodness for Central Park huh? Our souls need time for refreshment and rejuvenation. This writer loves the outdoors so frequently gets away into the woods or on a trail or find a body of water to sit by. But you do not want to be alone all the time!
Mankind was made for fellowship. The Bible says 'where two three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst"(See Matthew 18:20).Ecclesiastes 4:9 says that "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 goes on to say "Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."
There are times for people and times for quiet and peace. I think of the elderly person at a nursing home who has very few visitors that day and would love a person to stop by. Our busy schedules prevent us from ever thinking about that. Perhaps elderly parents who do not do email would love a letter in their mailbox. Let's not forget them.
In quietness and confidence is your strength and then the flip side is do not neglect meeting together. So there is a time and a season and reason for all. Isaiah 30:15 says "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it." Hebrews 10:25 says "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
But it does hurt to feel lonely and left out so why not call a friend and say hi and invite them for lunch. If able, go visit a shut in. Those in prison feel isolated as well, maybe be a pen pal or get with your churches prison ministry if you feel called. The one person not to shut out of your life is your best friend Jesus. He can fill the void. He is always with you.
PRAYER: Lord help me be aware to those around me who are yearning for a friendly smile. That might be the only thing close to being with a friend they get during their day. Father thanks for the gift of friends, family and spouse. Thank you for fellowship with others. In Jesus name. Amen!
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