But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.–1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 As I read the following article from Senior Living I couldn’t help but think of Roy Orbison’s haunting song,”Only The Lonely”. Hopefully after reading this we will all think more about those who are lonely.
From 1986 to 1990, Frank Reed was held hostage in a Lebanon cell. For months at a time, he was blindfolded, living in complete darkness, and chained to a wall, kept in absolute silence.
Reed was beaten, made ill, and tormented, but he felt the most hopeless because it seemed that no one cared. He said in an interview with Time magazine, “Nothing I did mattered to anyone. I began to realize how withering it is to exist with not a single expression of caring around [me]…. I learned one overriding fact: caring is a powerful force. If no one cares, you are truly alone.”
Christians are never truly alone because we are fortunate to have God’s gracious watch care over our lives, as well as that of the Church. This type of caring can provide the strength needed for a believer to endure anything.
Do you know someone who feels as though no one cares for them? Can you think of a few people right now who are living in loneliness? We have been called as believers to minister to those who are lonely. And in turn, we never have to be lonely because there are other believers who will care for us.
Remember the promise of Jesus: “—Verily I say unto you, Insomuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
Ask the Lord to open the doors of opportunity for you to pour out love, care, and concern for someone who needs it, just as Jesus did.
