The other day I read that loneliness is a modern-day epidemic. One psychology magazine stated that the loneliness is the leading reason people seek counselling. Despite being more connected than ever with computers, social media, and smartphones we are lonelier than we’ve ever been. This is especially true at Christmastime.
Technology can’t satisfy our deepest longings for relationship because computers aren’t human.
A spiritual explanation for our loneliness is because we’re seeking satisfaction from things that don’t truly satisfy. Only a relationship with our creator God can quench our need for connection. Paraphrasing Blaise Pascal, there’s a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person that can only be filled by infinite God Himself.
The good and exciting news is that God did something about our loneliness.
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)
God became like us and lived among us in the person of His Son Jesus (John 1:14). God became one of us to meet the deepest human need for a relationship with Himself.
The Infinite became finite. God became human. A virgin had a child.
These are mysteries we humans in our finiteness cannot fathom. But what we do relate to in practical terms is always having someone with us in our times of loneliness and need. Immanuel, God is with us, is the Good News. The Bible says, “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
The Scripture also says “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14.)
Insight for Living Canada is here to tell the Good News of Immanuel. God became like one of us to meet our deepest human need and take away the ache and emptiness of our loneliness. He will never leave or forsake those who receive Christ. Through your donations, this message is sent to Canadians through our broadcasts, articles, and videos. Not just at Christmastime but all year long.
Today, will you give a generous donation to help share this message?
Like many other charities, we receive approximately 25 per cent of our entire annual operating budget during the Christmas season. Raising our goal of $595,000 will help us finish 2017 well and empower effective ministry into 2018.
Lonely people are everywhere, even in your church. God became one of us to fill the vacuum in people’s hearts and give eternal and abundant life.
Send a message of hope to these lonely people through your financial support of Insight for Living Canada today.
By His grace,
Steve Johnson
Executive Director
PS Only Christ satisfies our deepest human needs. Sending your gift to Insight for Living Canada today will help cure the loneliness epidemic.
