The Loneliness Epidemic

Marv told us that when he was a young man, he would go to the mall as soon as he got off work he went to the mall just to be around people. He was so lonely in his apartment.

People are busy going to work, managing their household and maybe going to the gym. Often they may feel they don’t have time to meet with friends. More and more people are like that.

Lack of social connection is damaging to your health. Loneliness is as bad for your health as smoking, obesity or lack of physical activity.

This isn’t just a problem for the elderly. In a survey of Americans half reported feeling lonely or left out always or sometimes. 1 in 3 young adults suffers from loneliness. Some studies found correlation between smart phones and the likelihood of depression and loneliness. But the biggest factor contributing to loneliness is our busyness. Staying busy, people don’t make the time to build deeper one-on-one connections.

The LORD created you for relationships. “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” – Gen 2:18.  This is why we were created for family. We are hardwired to be in relationship with our parents, siblings and other relatives.

This is why we have been going through the worship series “Scratch and Dent” to listen to what scripture says about our family relationships, hear the promises and receive the blessing God has for our family relationships.

As human beings we have a need to belong to a social network. We are also created for bonds with others. Ultimately we are created to be in connection with the LORD. As he says repeatedly, I will be their God and they will be my people. All of scripture is the story of God bringing people together to be part of his family, his kingdom.

As human beings we also have a need to belong to something bigger than ourselves. Because of sin this need for purpose can drive us into the wrong direction – like joining a gang or being a racist. But the LORD seeks to bring us onboard with his redemptive purposes.

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Gal 3:26-28

Yes, the church is made up of hypocrites and sinners like you, but in belonging to the church we connect to the biggest something bigger than our selves – God and his abundant life.

This is why we will start the worship series “BELONGING: Life Is Better Together” to ponder the blessing God has for us when we belong to Christ and one another.

So, if you are feeling lonely. Get off work, get out of the house. Come join your church family at Concordia where we pray to be of one heart and mind in Christ.

Your Servant in Christ,

Pastor Douglas