Bible Verse: As I have loved you, love one another. (John 13:34)
Scripture Reading: Romans 12
“I’ve never told anyone this, but…” How would you finish this sentence?
Therapists, pastors and doctors hear the above refrain more often than Christians sing “Hallelujah!” I once considered retraining as a therapist. While interviewing a counsellor I know, she poignantly said, “If people had one good friend, most of my business would disappear.” One good friend.
Research demonstrates that Western people are unrooted, lonely, and isolated. Families and friendships don’t last. The proverbial village in which we raise a child is hard to find. We move, change careers, and text instead of talk. We isolate ourselves in the name of self-care, busyness, productivity, introversion, and boundaries. Researchers say loneliness is a health risk factor akin to smoking a pack of cigarettes daily. Loneliness is linked to dying sooner, physical and mental deterioration, addiction, lower productivity and lower quality of life.
Our shallow relational webs are killing us.
What if the Church was known for the depth of our community and Christians were known for being good friends? We were called into a “people” and “family,” not just an individual relationship with God. We are to be kind, hospitable, gentle, patient, and to speak the truth in love. Our evangelistic success is tied to this (John 17).
Everyone agrees that the Western world needs to rebuild our crumbling “offline” social networks. We find it hard in practice.
What if a revolution of friendship occurred in the Western Church? What if we routinely opened up our tables and showed up consistently to the lives of those around us? What if we asked deeper questions and risked disclosing “the thing we’ve never told anyone” so God’s grace and healing could touch those secrets, wounds, and shame? What if the Church was known as an effective school for learning to love?
Our world is embroiled in a culture war over various social issues. Loneliness and disconnection are a social issue that affects all others.
One of the greatest acts of justice and mercy we might pursue is to doggedly pursue deeper relationships.
“As I have loved you, love one another.” (Jesus)
Prayer: Lord, give us the grace to truly love those we walk with. Let us not fall victim to just tolerating, avoiding, or becoming indifferent to them. Fill us with Your love! Amen.
Reflection: Have you ever noticed that many people look like they belong while silently feeling like outsiders? How might you become a community builder? Who might you deliberately deepen your relationship with today?
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