I wonder what you think the world's biggest problem is? Drug addiction, Aids, poverty, global warming, climate change, poor parenting. The list could go on.
I wonder what the problem is in your street or your neighbourhood, or how about with your neighbours? The world's biggest problem is loneliness, especially in Britain. We live in the world of the 6 foot fencing or hedge. An Englishman's home is his castle complete with drawbridge and we only leave it to go to work or the gym.
This is OK, though undoubtedly unhealthy, for those with family but what about those living alone? What about those whose families live miles away - the phone or email is hardly a substitute for real human contact.
How should the gospel fit us to meet that need? As those who are loved by God, so much so that he left heaven to become man to bring us into relationship with him, how should that show itself.
Loneliness is not just a fact of life for the elderly. Here's the first time mum who has a young baby, she has recently given up work and her social circle are all still at the work place. Her husband is out all day and she just has the baby and increasingly feels she has nothing and no-one to talk to.
The gospel challenges us to take the love we have been shown and show it to others, go one invite a neighbour round for coffee, start a conversation whilst mowing the lawn or trimming that hedge, buy a spare ticket to where ever you go next and invite someone else along with you. You never know where it may lead!
2 comments:
Loneliness is not only for those on their own, as you have said, but also for those who might be part of a family or marriage. Friendship though has to be consistent and not only for those days that we want to 'put ourselves out there'. Friendships and relationships take commitment and noticing when people need help even when they do not ask for it.
Jesus showed that He was their for people when help was really needed as He was/is in a relationship for the long term
Sin is another factor that we have to battle against in our friendships. Sin leads me to think of myself, to not want to put myself out. The gospel says to love is to be put out, to love is to put others before myself.
It does mean being sensitive to when people need help, but it also means being prepared to ask for help when we need it, sometimes it is our pride that stops us doing so.
Fellowship is about relationships of real friendship where we need others and know we can ask for help.
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