Real Hope: A Heart of ServiceExemple

Time To Connect?

There is currently an insidious disease sweeping across our planet!

No, not ‘that’ insidious disease. Long before lockdowns and facemasks, experts reported that, despite our social-media-hungry and so-called super-interconnected world, one of the biggest challenges facing our modern society (particularly in the west) was what has been aptly called a ‘Loneliness Epidemic’. 

The obvious antidote to loneliness, which in essence is feeling alone and unconnected, is to not be alone and to get connected. It may sound simplistic but to connect with others you need to be around them. One way to do this is to roll up your sleeves and get involved. From personal experience, I’ve found that serving, be it at a local church, charity, or any opportunity for volunteerism that suits you can be a key. Not only do we connect with those we are serving, but we also connect to those whom we are serving alongside. We just connect. Isn’t it awesome that as we minister to others there is a benefit that comes back to us?

Throughout scripture, we are called to show our love as we serve others. We are not called to do this alone. I encourage you that if you’re feeling a little isolated and alone, take the initiative and seek out where you can be involved in serving others? There’s always a need somewhere. And you may experience the first part of today’s reading where you are ‘called to be free’. Free from loneliness.

written by ROBBIE PARKIN