Christian Foundations

Knowing Christ Through Loneliness

One of the amazing paradoxes of our times is that we have come to the place in human history when people are totally alone—yet surrounded by crowds. Life in the 21^st century is very lonely for many people. 

Though there are more humans than ever before alive and around us—many find less fellowship, companionship, and fulfillment each year. We move past, around and by, more and more people each day—but know fewer and fewer.

We often move faster—but not closer. We often have more contact—but less touch. We have more and more relationships—but less and less depth. And all of this leads to that aching hollow of the soul known as loneliness.

Loneliness is when God takes something or someone out of my life—so He can be closest to me. This means that loneliness is a tool in God's hand, an opportunity for a right response by us His children. Don’t let loneliness abuse you, use it to draw close to the Lord!

Open with me to Genesis 2. God has something to say about loneliness—it isn’t good! From the pages of Genesis 2 before the Fall, God speaks His very first recorded words to man. Amazingly, in God’s first words to man He addresses loneliness.

• Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

God solved that problem with Eve, and Adam was no longer alone. But soon after, sin arrived as Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Then came the sting of the most dreadful form of loneliness—alienation from God.

Because we are all fallen in Adam, we now experience loneliness in all of its many forms; none of them are good. Loneliness appears at times as that sense of emptiness, like we have a vacuum inside of us. Other times it is a feeling of desolation or of unsatisfied longings. Probably the most acute form of loneliness is when we lose someone close to us through disagreement, distance or death.

Loss of a life partner is a deep void; moving away from cherished places also cuts deeply. The loss of the comfortable and familiar can leave gaps in our hearts and painful voids. And as we see all around us, everyone involved in a divorce—the marriage partners, friends, family, and children—all are touched with an aching void and begin down a pathway of loneliness.

But, the loneliest person to ever live on this planet was Jesus Christ. Turn with me to John 16. Think of it—He left the best, closest, most intimate relationship in the Universe to come, to seek, and to save the lost. But even after all that He came and did, He said that even His closest friends on earth would abandon Him.

• John 16:32 “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.”

Then on the cross Jesus experienced the ultimate loneliness. He was forsaken by God.

• Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 

So even this grief and sorrow we feel of loneliness-He is acquainted with; and even loneliness can be conquered by fleeing to Him as our refuge. 

Loneliness has many forms—but one purpose. Again, loneliness is when God takes something or someone out of my life—so He can be closest to me. This means that loneliness is a tool in God’s hand, an opportunity for a right response by us His children. 

Loneliness—if you ever feel it, know that He felt it. If you ever suffer feeling friendless—know that He is the friend who will stick closer than a brother. If you ever feel forsaken—remember He said that He would never leave you or forsake you. If you feel alone—trust the One who said I am with you always, to the end!