Have you discovered the miracle cure yet? A special ointment that can be administered to heal a broken heart or used to unlock the mysteries of suffering? Everywhere we turn, there is hurt on one street or the next– in one hospital room or the next– in one living room or the next. If you listen intently, or look deep into the eyes of one suffering, you can hear their silent cry, “Where are you God?” “Why aren’t You here with me?”
The amazing thing is, He is here. He has set Himself among us and lives through us. That is why we are each called to serve and minister to others according to our specific giftings and talents. He knows the voids and pain points within everyone and sometimes sends us.
It is no different for me; I have my hot buttons. Certain life struggles stir me more deeply than others, and one that seems to continually break my heart is that of loneliness. Interestingly, this has been a recurring theme in many of the places I have visited. I have heard the topic discussed from the pulpit and I have seen a great number of alter call responses (of all ages) from those who deal with feeling lonely on a daily basis. I read a quote years ago that said, “I cannot find a cause that is greater than the healing of the human heart,” and I would have to agree. As Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The healing of the human heart starts with humility, repentance of sin and getting our heart (and life) right before God. But the heart keeping does not stop there.
Christmas can generate a wealth of emotions. For some, there is so much celebration in the way of family and festivities that they are filled with love to overflowing and could not possibly imagine the idea of feeling alone at Christmas.
There are those who are in the exact same situation, yet they have a very difficult time relating to family. Even though they may be surrounded by loved ones along with all the sounds and smells of the season, they are secretly consumed by loneliness.
Then there are those who receive little to no love at all, such as the elderly, the orphans, and the homeless.
I am no Doctor, but I have faced feeling lonely and I understand that it can be brought on by many things: the loss of a loved one, abandonment, a broken relationship, unforgiveness, and the list goes on and on. These struggles can impede a person’s ability to see any life blessing at all. It can also stand in the way of receiving love from others, because the love of one important person may be missing.
Is there a solution? I’m not sure that anything can magically take away the hurt of losing a relationship you cherish. But, the love of Jesus does heal and comfort… powerfully.
In light of it being Christmas, I began to reflect upon Jesus’ birth and Him being born in a manger — in a village, amongst the common people. He was given the name Emmanuel which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23. Personalized you can certainly take this as meaning, God is with you.
What a picture. A totally inappropriate setting for childbirth, complete with dust, dirt, animal smells, a stone manger, and Jesus – the spotless lamb sent to die on a cross for our sins. He understands rejection and loneliness better than anyone. His humble birth and undeserved death makes this clear.
What kind of message would He have conveyed if He had been born and lived in a palace? What kind of message would have been sent if He had not taken the time to dine at tables with sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes? He could have easily been a ruler of pomp and circumstance; a King without any firsthand experience of the life His people live.
No, instead He spent His life reaching for us. Every step of the way, He lived, loved and died with the people. He did not posture Himself as an elitist, demanding luxury and the adoration of those He loved. Instead, He made Himself a man of no reputation.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes my loneliness and discouragement come because I refuse to reach. I remain unaffected by the needs that I know exist in this world, because quite honestly, I am consumed with my hurts. I do nothing about my emotional and spiritual condition other than whine to God about fixing everything. But through His Word and the conviction of His Spirit comes the answer. Do you see the manger? That is Jesus reaching into your village, into your home, and into your heart. The example of how you must live and the answer to every problem you face can be found in knowing and following the example Jesus. Go and do the same, Mary, if you want to be filled with the love you yearn for. God’s love is not the kind you take, but the kind you give away.
Indeed, “There is no greater cause than the healing of the human heart” and Jesus gave us the solution… love much.
After my Father died, I watched how my mother dealt with the loss. She reached out relentlessly to others in need, despite her own grieving. I witnessed the love she so liberally gave to others, heal and soothe her own heart.
I heard someone once say, “If you are in a trial and want to make the devil mad, go help someone.” I am not in the business of making the devil mad, but it is true. When you face disappointment or hurt, the enemy would love nothing more than to see you stop living and loving.
Through the example of Jesus we are taught to reach beyond our circumstances, stature, and comforts and focus on the needs of others. This was His response to heartache. It should be ours too.
