The Leprosy of Loneliness
The Leprosy of Loneliness
These days it’s common to hear leaders admit to depression but rarely do any admit to loneliness. A piece Dallas Willard wrote years ago reminded me that Mother Teresa once said that “loneliness is the leprosy of the modern world.” She first referred to people without God; however, she also said that the greatest need of the poor (and everyone else) is to be noticed by others.
I know what it feels like to wonder if God or others have truly taken note of me? That is, could anyone else really relate to the heart aches and heart hits that I have and have had? Those questions are only answered when I do two things:
When I pause to ponder deeply the Psalms of the warrior poet, King David.
When I dare to talk candidly and do the hard work of heart work with trusted allies in ministry.
Neither God’s word or God’s people ever cause my concerns to instantaneously disappear, but both are key to me feeling that I’m not alone. Just the other morning when I was once again “breaking bread with the dead” my old friend Oswald Chambers reminded me of this:
“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” (John 6:66). They turned back from walking with Jesus; not into sin, but away from Him. Many people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are not really walking with Him.” (March 9)
I needed that reminder, how about you? It’s easy for me to charge off in active efforts to do good things for God. I need to keep reminding myself that I am not just working for God but that He is in me and calling me to partner with Him!
As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day I am lingering on this portion of the “Breastplate of St. Patrick.”
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Too often we allow the problem in front of us to distract us from the blessings that surround us. What if God is really closer to us right now than our next heart beat? He is. He is in you and you are with Him … and so am I! Not only that, but He has been in and with each and every person I’ll bump into today.
I am not alone and neither are you - by God’s grace we’re all being cured of the leprosy of loneliness!
Grace and Peace,
Alan
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20
