Alone Among Others

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

I read a few pieces this morning.  

First, I saw that, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, young people spend about 45% more time alone compared to the alone-time among the same age group in 2010. The graph is pretty shocking, as it displays the meteoric rise of aloneness (usually alone means with a device, but not with other people in a 3-dimensional and physically relational setting). You can see the study results and the graph by clicking --> here <-- 

Next, compare that to the number of college students that now identify themselves as having a disability. This does not mean a physical or developmental disability. According to the Government Accounting Office, 1 in 5 college students currently claims disabled status. The interesting part is this trend: Of those claiming a disability in 2004, only 33% claimed "behavioral/emotional" disability. In 2020, that number had more than doubled to 69%!  You can see the graph and summary report by clicking --> here <--

This may cause us to wonder, what is going on with this upcoming generation?  They are alone and behaviorally/emotionally suffering. Then you may be tempted to engage in a debate over which came first, the problem of lonliness or the disability? What about the family, parenting, and social influences? What about the church? What about God?

We have spent a lot of time on Sundays unpacking the Word of God and how it spurs us to live in gospel community. While aloneness is good as we daily meditate on God's Word and seek him in prayer, these things are also meant to be done in community.  

A quick Google search gave me this:

Scriptures for community with believers include passages like Galatians 6:2 which speaks of carrying one another's burdens, Hebrews 10:24-25 urging believers to encourage each other toward love and good works, Acts 2:44-45 showing the early church sharing possessions, Philippians 2:4 encouraging believers to look out for the interests of others, Ephesians 4:25 emphasizing speaking truth, and 1 John 1:7 highlighting fellowship through the light of Christ. 

Come worship with us at Sojourn. But don't just attend; talk, fellowship, learn about others. 

Then come to a small group (or life group, or whatever you want to call it). Eat a meal with real people, face to face, in 3 dimensional space and time. 

Then plug in to the mission of the church here on the Northside (one word) of St. Jo! There are so many hurting people in our neighborhood. Live to alleviate the pain in their lives and to bring them the gospel!

Then an amazing thing will happen. Slowly, over time, with persistence, prayer, and faith, you will find that living for Christ, living in community, living with purpose, and living on mission will change you from the inside. 

There is hope for the lonely, and it is fully in Jesus among the saints. It is being a disciple who is being discipled, and who is making disciples!