Finding Connection in a Lonely World
Have you ever felt utterly alone, even in a crowded room? That gnawing emptiness that comes from disconnection isn't just uncomfortable, it's actually contrary to our design. The very first negative statement in the Bible appears in Genesis 2:18 when God declares, "It is not good for the man to be alone." Everything else in creation was deemed "good," but isolation was not part of God's plan for humanity. We were created for community and connection.
The Epidemic of Loneliness
We're facing what researchers have called an "epidemic of loneliness," not just in the United States but worldwide. This trend began emerging in the early 2000s, attributed to factors like increased individualism, technology and social media, economic inequalities, decreasing social support structures, and more recently, of course, a little thing called a global pandemic.
Loneliness can strike anyone, anywhere. It might come from a new job or relocation to a new city, the loss of a spouse or loved one, or an extended period of illness. Even when we aren’t physically alone, we can become emotionally lonely.
Let’s look at two biblical stories of loneliness and isolation.
The Man with Leprosy: Public Isolation
In Mark 1:40-45, we meet a man suffering from leprosy who was legally, ritually, and physically forced to live outside his community. According to Leviticus 13:45-46, "Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!'... They must live alone; they must live outside the camp."
The first-century Jewish historian Josephus wrote that lepers were treated as if they were, in effect, dead men. That's what extreme loneliness can feel like.
Yet this man approached Jesus, begging to be healed. Jesus, "moved with compassion... reached out and touched him" (Mark 1:41). Jesus could have healed him with just a word, but instead, he offered physical connection, something this man had been deprived of for years.
The Woman with Chronic Bleeding: Private Isolation
In Mark 5:25-34, we encounter a woman who had suffered from constant bleeding for twelve years. According to Leviticus 15:25-27, her condition made her ritually unclean. Anyone who touched her or anything she touched would become unclean.
Though not completely isolated like the leper, her loneliness was still debilitating. She was likely divorced, separated from any children, unable to participate in normal society or worship, and impoverished from spending everything on ineffective treatments.
When she saw Jesus, she summoned her courage and reached for his robe. After she was healed, Jesus didn't let her remain anonymous. He asked, "Who touched me?" and acknowledged her publicly, calling her "daughter"—the only time Jesus used this term for a woman—recognizing her worth and belonging.
How We Can Combat Loneliness
Be a Person of Connection
Jesus saw the leper's suffering and was moved by compassion. He didn't just speak healing, he reached out and touched the man, risking becoming unclean himself. We can follow his example by maintaining connections with others even when it may be risky or difficult for us to do so.
Be a Person of Recognition
With the bleeding woman, Jesus refused to let her remain hidden. He acknowledged her identity and recognized her dignity. We can help those who are lonely by recognizing their worth as children of God and helping them to feel seen, to feel a sense of belonging.
Putting It Into Practice
In our increasingly disconnected world, we take comfort that Jesus never leaves us alone. Before his crucifixion, he promised in John 14:18, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." After his resurrection, he assured us in Matthew 28:20, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Let's be people who offer the healing power of presence as we draw strength from Jesus' own presence with us.
Reflection
When have you experienced loneliness in your life? Was it a public isolation like the leper, or a private isolation like the woman with bleeding?
What barriers might be preventing you from reaching out when you feel lonely? How might your faith give you courage to overcome these barriers?
Think about someone in your life who might be experiencing loneliness. How could you be a person of connection and recognition for them?
How does knowing that Jesus promised, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) change how you view your own moments of loneliness?
Application
This week, be intentional about being a person of connection and recognition. Choose one person each day to reach out to with a text, call, or note. When interacting with others, practice being fully present, making eye contact, and truly listening, recognizing their dignity and worth as children of God. If you're experiencing loneliness yourself, take the courageous step of reaching out to someone, just as the leper and the woman with bleeding reached out to Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise to never leave us as orphans. When I feel isolated and alone, remind me that you are there, that your hand guides me and holds me fast. Give me the courage to reach out when I'm lonely, and the compassion to connect with others who are suffering in isolation. Help me to be your hands and feet, touching the untouchable, seeing the invisible, and recognizing the dignity in every person I meet. Thank you for your constant presence, from now until the end of the age. Amen.
