Why continue alone?On Day 2, we explored this thought:
Do people tell us superficial stories, hunting for a person who will genuinely listen, and through that listening, validate us and help up grow toward the light?"Grow toward the light" is a biological response of plants. Faith-based research points to improved health results when we pray, even when we gather in community to worship. In essence, we grow toward the Light, the reality of God.
In all honesty, I sometimes begin a series here without knowing its destination, its conclusion. It is a day-by-day investigation I hope is directed by God.
Last night, my daughter sent me the link to Judith Shulevitz' article, The Lethality of Loneliness, which I read this morning. It took my breath to think that at the heart of this Feed Your Strength series might be the singular subject of loneliness and compassion as its antidote.
Shulevitz surveys research over time that concludes that "loneliness, a social emotion, can reach into our bodies and rearrange our cells and genes." It is that life-changing. She notes that what God wants for us is not to be alone.
Whether we are physically alone, alone in our thoughts, or alone in the fact that no one will substantially listen, loneliness requires not just the company, but the compassion of another.
Jesus was so intensely connected to each of us that He hung on a cross to make His compassion a fulfillment of Scripture. He modeled compassion at the highest level so we might be encouraged to offer it in ways that answer the loneliness around us.
No wonder compassion is such a hard-fought notion. It requires energy, resources, inconvenience, and self-sacrifice.
But then again, it saves lives.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength.com.
