The typical night…
I’ve just had a long day out with friends and family. It was great; we all got along and had a great time. It starts to get late, so I make my way home. As I walk into my door and head to my room, a sense of loneliness begins to descend upon me. I spent a wonderful time with the people I loved, so why is this?
Turning to social media, I scroll down the never-ending road to medicate my loneliness. I begin with funny videos of cats, influencers trying to motivate, and multiple photographs capturing the fun events of other people’s fantastic lives. But the loneliness doesn’t leave me.
Sure, I can call a friend, but they’re all asleep by now. My scrolling began at 11 p.m., and then suddenly, it was 1 a.m. The stillness of the night makes the experience of loneliness swell. I began to reflect on the night.
Isn’t friendship supposed to fix loneliness? Is listening to each excited tale from friends enough to fill the whole inside? “Is anybody listening to me?” Will I ever find what I seek? Is what I see also seeking me?
Sounds familiar?
Have you ever wondered if anyone truly cares for you?
Maybe you doubted if the people you loved truly loved you back?
Oftentimes, we go to people as if we’re a puzzle looking for a missing piece. We look for our identity in our externality rather than in who we truly are. On the other hand, we put on a facade, never letting the people of the world know how broken we truly are, because we realize the world itself is broken.
If the world is also broken, how can we take our imperfections to broken people expecting to feel whole? You’re never guaranteed a response, an open ear, or the truth. There is no relationship without the truth.
One man once told his twelve friends. I am the way, the truth, and the life. The loneliest we feel is in a room of people if we don’t have that man named Jesus Christ as a friend. People can give horrible advice and even turn you away once you’ve told them your secrets. But he is the holder of secrets. Take some time if you can and meditate on the following text.
For God so loved the world he gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16