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Week 4: Friday
Scripture Verses
- Psalm 28:1–9
- Isaiah 53:1–3
- Matthew 28:19–20
Questions to Consider
- What are some of the causes of loneliness?
- Why is it easy to be lonely in the crowd?
- How do you overcome loneliness?
- How does Jesus help us overcome loneliness?
Plan of Action
- Invite a new friend to lunch or dinner. Invite them to play golf or go shopping.
- Next time you are in a large group setting, look for a person who looks awkward or uncomfortable and seek to engage them and learn a little bit about who they are and why they came to the event.
- Make a goal to meet one new person each week before or after worship on a Sunday morning.
Reflection
We have more ways to connect than ever before. We may have hundreds of friends and followers on sites like Facebook and Twitter. But there is an increase in isolation and loneliness. While our relationships may have grown wider, they have often grown more shallow. We have more relationships than ever before, but seemingly fewer meaningful and deep relationships. It’s ironic that in a hyper-connected world, loneliness has become an epidemic. We are increasingly isolated from one another. We have become lonely in the crowd. This video on Vimeo captures the essence:
8,336,615 (New York) from Paul Riccio on Vimeo.
So today we are giving up loneliness and isolation.
God created us to live in relationship with him. We may be lonely, but we are not alone. God is our first and most important relationship in life. If our relationship with God is right, our other relationships in life will also be right. If our relationship with him is not right, our other relationships in life will not be right. If you have a relationship that you are struggling with, consider what part of your relationship with God might need attention.
When it comes to our relationship with others, recognize God created us as social beings. Companionship is a basic human need. God wired us this way. In the same way he created us to live in relationship with him, he created us to live in relationship with each other. He did not create us to live separate from one another, but to journey through life together.
Making a friend starts with being a friend. The calling of Jesus is not to wait for someone to befriend us. The calling is to go and be the friend to others. Jesus came as the friend of sinners (Luke 7:34). As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus we recognize there are many lonely people in need of a friend.
I know there are many introverted people who are reading this email. You are uncomfortable engaging with others, but it is time set aside that fear. Any time you are in a group of people, you are certain to find some people who feel uncomfortable, awkward, and out of place. They need a friend. Because of your potential feelings of awkwardness, you just might be the best person to engage them. You can serve them by engaging them and helping to make them feel comfortable.
Are you still afraid? Then ask God to change your heart towards other people. Rather than being worried about their perception of you, ask God to give you a heart to serve them. Stop looking at the situation from the perspective of what other people may think about you. Start with the perspective of God’s calling. God’s calling is never easy and it is always about loving and serving others. It will lead you to walk across the room and engage others you previously would have ignored. In the process you discover a new friend. You may be lonely, but you are not alone. God has put people all around you to serve.
Thank you so for these “things to give up”. They are truly blessing my life!
This program has been much more rewarding than giving up sweets, etc for Lent. I have been reading ” 40 Thing to Give Up for Lent ” for several years and it has made a difference in my perception of my life. Thank you so much!