The Solution for Loneliness
Break through the highlight reel, and find the solution for loneliness.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/rquywu9L2Bk
Have you ever felt lonely? Most of us have. We believe we have the solution for loneliness…but it will take some intentionality on your part. Let’s break through the highlight reel, and explore it!
We live in a world that is so “connected.” We can talk to anyone around the world in a second. We can see them, hear them, and connect with them. If all that is true, why are we so lonely? 61% of people age 18-25 -or- mothers of young children report being lonely “frequently” or “almost always.” What gives?
While we have the ability to stay “connected,” we tend to only see people’s highlight reels, but we never get the full story. We never get to see real life. We’re trapped in the highlights. But life…true connection…happens BETWEEN the highlights.
We were BUILT for community. For relationship. The entire story of the Bible displays that God designed us to live inside of authentic and meaningful community.
In Genesis, God is living in community within the Trinity before he even creates humanity. From there, God chooses to create Adam to be in relationship. After Adam, God decides it is “not good” for Adam to be alone and creates Eve for him to be in relationship with.
Later in the story, God promises to Abraham that he will make him into a NATION. God doesn’t make a covenant with just one man…he makes a covenant with a PEOPLE…Israel.
When Jesus arrives on the scene, he illustrates for us what true community looks like. Every one of Jesus’ “highlights” either comes OUT of community or leads TO community. Jesus modeled for us that life is best done in relationship.
The entire Bible ends with a picture of COUNTLESS people in a community…following Jesus.
The Bible tells the story of life being done in authentic, meaningful community. THIS…is the solution for loneliness.
So, what does authentic community actually look like?
Authentic community provides a space for three things: belonging, learning, and purpose.
- Community gives us a place of radical belonging. We have relationships where we can know others and BE known by others.
- Community gives us a place to learn and grow in ways we simply cannot do on our own.
- Community gives us a role to play in a larger story…a purpose in life.
Belonging, learning, and purpose…happening in authentic community…is the cure for loneliness.
So, how do we develop this “authentic community” in our lives? If you are intentional about investing your time, investing your resources, investing in innovation, and investing in others’ highlight reels…you will be on your way to developing authentic Christ-centered community.
- Commit to investing your time in getting to know others more deeply.
- Commit to investing your resources in meeting the needs of others, as Jesus did.
- Commit to innovating and creatively solving the needs for this authentic community.
- And, commit to investing in the highlight reels in others’ lives…be there for their biggest, most meaningful moments.
If you are sitting at home and feeling lonely…here’s the solution. Pursue authentic, Christ-centered community. You can do it, but it is going to require your intentionality.