You might be surprised who would call himself “one of the loneliest people in the world.” Read Michael Jackson’s words for yourself: My dating relationships with girls have not had the happy ending I’ve been looking for…. Many girls want to know what makes me tick—why I live the way I do or do the things I do—trying to get inside my head. They want to rescue me from loneliness, but they do it in such a way that they give me the impression that they want to share my loneliness, which I wouldn’t wish on anybody, because I believe I’m one of the loneliest people in the world.
Fame and fortune, big crowds and big money, action and attraction are no guarantees that you won’t be lonely. For that matter, serving God is no guarantee either. The Apostle Paul understood loneliness. Here’s what he said when writing to Timothy, his friend and ministry associate:
Please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me … The first time I was brought before the judge, no one was with me. Everyone had abandoned me. (2 Timothy 4:9-11,16 NLT)
Loneliness is a drought of the soul. It leaves us emotionally parched and spiritually dehydrated.
When we are lying face down in the hot desert of detachment there is nothing more refreshing than a friendly visit. It is like the sweet smell of coming rain or the cool breeze that precedes a heavy shower. A friend can lift our spirits and put fight back into our will. Friendship sets us back on that path that leads to better days.
Maybe God wants to use you to end someone’s loneliness drought today. A simple phone call, a thoughtful letter, or a personal visit may be all that it takes. End the drought.
STAY FOCUSED TODAY: Take a moment and pray. Ask God to lead you to someone today for whom you can help end the drought of loneliness.