You may be sitting somewhere, feeling lonely and seeking for friendship by surfing the internet. Your search engines may have landed on this web page and the title has prompted you to read it. If these are your circumstances, don't go for a minute, please read on.......
I would like to tell you about a young man who was 22 years old when he left home and travelled some 300 miles or so to Coventry, a City here in the West Midlands of the United Kingdom. He was an economic migrant. He left his family who he loved and came in search of work and a career. All his worldly possessions were in the suitcase and rucksack which he carried with him.
He knew no one in Coventry when he first arrived but this didn't matter greatly, after all he had been to university prior to this and had made many friends there. Starting work however proved to be very different. It became apparent very quickly that there wasn't the same scope for making friends as before. Instead of being in Halls of Residence with many like minded individuals of a similar age and experience there was the lonely bedsit. Instead of the supportive social framework where all were encouraged to do well, there was the competitive edge and the "dog eat dog" mentality. And then there were the professional exams which had to be passed. Those who were successful would receive that tiny piece of paper which would secure future employment and a career! But for those who failed - the future was less clear.
Over the course of two years, circumstances had conspired to bring this young man to his knees, both literally and figuratively. He now knew quite a large number of people, at least superficially and yet he remained profoundly lonely. Lonely in the sense that whether he had a good day or a bad day there was no one to share those experiences with. When there were problems, there was no one to discuss them with. When key decisions had to be made, there was no one to give counsel. These circumstances forced him to undertake a fundamental re-appraisal of what life was all about. In undertaking this re-appraisal he examined the void in his life. It dawned on him, somewhat dimly to begin with but with increasing clarity that the emptiness was due not only to the lack of close human companionship but also because he had no knowledge or understanding of God and as a consequence he had no relationship with Him.
In summary, this young man was separated from friends and family, alone in the world and without God.
The journey out of the abyss, started by seeking God in prayer. There is no contradiction here. Although he did not know God, yet he earnestly sought Him and called upon Him for help. This was the first expression of faith. God's word tells us that God delights in this quality and is able to help those in need:
"This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them." Ps 34:6+7.
Sadly this young man knew nothing of God's word at this time, but this situation was to change. Profound ignorance was to give way, gradually but steadily to a knowledge of the word of God. Recognition of personal inadequacy was the motivating force to read and to study scripture helped every step of the way of course by God who alone can open our eyes to His truth.
This young man was very surprised to find that there was great comfort and many benefits to reading the word of God. His personal circumstances took on a completely different perspective in the light of these words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ to his disciples just before his crucifixion:
"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John 14:23
Those who diligently seek after God and strive to keep the sayings of the Lord Jesus Christ are not alone but loved by both the Father and by Jesus who will reside or live with them. This dwelling with God and His Son now is a forerunner to an eternal dwelling together which will be secured when the Kingdom of God is established upon the Earth.
Scripture tells us then that the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are never alone. The Father and His Son are always present. Faith therefore dispels and banishes all feelings and thoughts of loneliness.
But the Apostle Peter expressed concern at one point in the ministry of Lord Jesus Christ that he and the other disciples had left their homes, their families and their friends to follow Him. Jesus said to him:
"Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come, life everlasting." Luke 18:29-30.
Jesus is telling us that as His disciples we can expect to find
true friendship with our fellow disciples now as well as looking
forward to inheriting the immortality with them when the kingdom is
established. The friendship spoken of here is of great value because
it is established upon God given principles and is secured by a close
personal relationship with Jesus - the head of the body of believers
and an over-arching relationship with God - the Father.
If you are lonely we would advise you to:
1.turn to God in prayer and seek His guidance;
2.read His word daily, seeking both to understand it and to follow His commandments;and
3.seek out the community of Christadelphians (brethren and sisters in the Lord) who live in your area - they will befriend you and be only too keen to talk to you about the message of hope contained in the scriptures.
God will surely respond to those who humbly seek His favour and want to be part of His purpose with mankind and this Earth.
And what of the young man spoken of above? Well he is now 40 something. He can testify that the words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ concerning these matters are trustworthy. He is no longer alone but part of a Christadelphian community which believes in the word of God and is striving to keep the sayings of the Master, waiting for the coming of the kingdom of God. I know this to be true because that young man was me.
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