Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to
obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you
always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-10
While there is so much going on in the world today, I want
to speak of something more personal as it has relevancy to much of what is
going on. This past weekend, I lost a
friend, and while all indications was that he was a believer, I could not help
but feel the sadness of a life gone too soon.
It also brought me to realize one of the worldly devices that is creating
greater stress in the world. It is
called loneliness. I listen to experts,
and see the data that points to a declining church and that people feel a disconnect
with it. With that disconnect, there is
this empty space where loneliness takes its place. It is not easy for me to ignore because I
have such a connection with an awesome God, but many will say I just need to
worry about myself. But I can’t. So I ask myself how can I not feel suffering
when others feel they have no one to turn to.
What can I do to be accountable to making God’s presence in the world
more known?
There is a reason Jesus commissioned us to teach others of
God. Many will disagree, but I believe
much of what has gone awry in the world deals directly with the void of God in
those places. People who are alone are
much more susceptible to evil, violence, and deception. Our job as followers of Christ is to stay
connected not only with God but also those who do not know of Him. They are the ones who need to know of a God
who loves them deeply, and must realize that whether they don’t have someone or
do but sense no one cares about them, God is always watching, listening, loving,
and protecting them. There is no depth
of loneliness or despair that God cannot touch, heal, and make one feel anew!
God is the only answer to save others. The world is a ruthless tool of the devil for
as 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He
prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Armed with the truth, we have joy everlasting through Jesus Christ. We have been given true victory, and with it,
we know He is with us always for God has said. “Do not be afraid or
discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be
with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) Anyone who knows this will never ever be
alone. Who do you know that may be feeling
alone? Who in pain needs a reminder of
God’s faithful promises? My prayer is
that when others feel abandoned, we are able to sing to them the old spiritual
hymnal, ‘No Never Alone.’ Amen.
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