AloneSample

WIRED FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION

Okay, if you’re reading this in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, then you are right in the middle of forced loneliness. If you’ve stumbled upon this plan sometime in the future when the virus is just a weird memory but you find yourself in a season of loneliness anyway, welcome…I’m glad you’re here! Whatever the source of your loneliness, there’s a reason it stings so deeply: as human beings, we were created to have people in our lives. It’s hard-wired into our DNA to be social creatures. Even if you consider yourself an introvert (I get it…I’m one too), you still need people in your life…friends, family, people to be present and laugh with. It’s all part of being human!

In the midst of creating the entire universe, God continued to declare that everything he created was good. The first time we ever see the phrase “it is not good” is when mankind is alone. God sees Adam, the first human, and sees him hanging out with giraffes and monkeys and stuff, and he says, “that’s not right…it is not good for man to be alone.” So, God creates community. He establishes relationships as a necessary part of being human. We need that interaction…so what are we supposed to do when, for one reason or another, we can’t find it? 

Well, that’s what this plan is going to help us with over the next few days. But as we get started, I want to do two things…First, I want you to know that feeling lonely is totally normal and justified. You were created to be social, and when your social life is rocked or suddenly non-existent, it’s normal to feel the pain of loneliness. Second, I want you to know that God is in your corner and he wants you to not be lonely. Think about it: God designed you to be social, so why wouldn’t he do whatever he could to help alleviate your loneliness? Today, as you read these passages, take a moment to thank God for creating you for friendship, and ask him to bring you comfort as you go through this plan.