Day 4 – Finding Hope In Connection

‘…because God has said, ‘never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ 

(Hebrews 13:5 NIV) 

I wonder if there is any other feeling like when you feel all alone…even when you are surrounded by people. 

I remember when I lived in London in my twenties. Every single day I would rub shoulders with many, many people. 

People on the tube. 

People at the coffee shop. 

People at work even. 

But there was still something missing. 

I would go home each night and cry myself to sleep because I felt like no one knew me, wanted to know me or was pursuing relationship with me. 

Fast forward to my thirties. 

I had moved out of the city and into a more rural city in the Midwest. 

This was no less painful, but in its own unique way. 

I would go to church on a Sunday and, rather than leaving the building feeling enriched and fulfilled, I would leave feeling unseen and empty. 

I knew plenty of people in this particular setting but, again, that familiar scenario of not being pursued, inquired of, or sought out lingered. 

I share these experiences not to discredit the people I was doing life with, but to shine a light on the common experience that many of us can relate to – feeling alone in a crowded room. 

Friends, I don’t believe that loneliness disappears the day that we make a thousand friends and have many people in our lives.  

I believe that loneliness goes away, or at least quietens down, when we connect.  

If you find yourself in a state of loneliness or in a season where you feel alone in a crowded room, may I encourage to seek out connection with others? 

This may look like going for a coffee, 1-1, and sharing about your interests, lifestyle or current struggles.  

It may look like joining a group that matches your hobbies and skillset and spending time genuinely sharing your heart with the people you share hobbies and interests with. 

Either way, make a commitment to not leave a space or occasion where people are present without locking eyes with someone and sharing about you, whilst also enquiring about them. 

This kind of heart-to-heart connection eradicates loneliness like nothing else can…except one thing. 

Or should I say one Person. 

Come back tomorrow when we will talk about the one friend we have who always sticks closer than a brother.