Never Alone

Have you ever found yourself at a party, surrounded by people but still feeling so alone? Have you ever gotten lost in a spiral of social media stalking, feeling like you are the only person who doesn’t have a bustling social life? Loneliness is such a difficult feeling to navigate, especially during a holiday like Christmas. At Christmas it feels good to buy gifts for other people, invite friends over to celebrate, or attend church services with friends or family. We are wired for connectedness, and often the holidays can magnify something we deeply long for like relationships with others. 

Even though you might be feeling alone, you are not alone! So many people experience loneliness even when they are surrounded by people. Maybe you are feeling misunderstood, desperate for someone to validate what you’re going through. Perhaps you’re feeling unseen and underappreciated after making the thousandth dinner for your family without so much as a “thanks, Mom.” Or maybe you are truly physically alone this Christmas, longing for a hug from your mom or a coffee date with your best friend. Whatever your circumstances might be, I can promise you that you are not alone. 

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus gives His disciples a great mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (NKJV). Can you imagine the weight of that calling? If I put myself in their shoes, I am completely and totally overwhelmed by the thought of being tasked with sharing the good news of Jesus with the whole world! But, of course, Jesus recognizes this incredible weight and reminds His disciples, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NKJV, emphasis added). He knows that the weight and burden of their task is only made lighter by His presence. 

I wonder what burdens we carry that leave us feeling alone and overwhelmed. Sometimes grief pushes us to that point. Maybe you’ve gone through a terrible tragedy that you feel no one else can understand. If that’s you, Jesus is with you always. Or maybe your thought life feels too vulnerable to share with another soul. If that’s you, your shame is not too much because Jesus is with you always. Maybe you feel unwanted this Christmas, cast aside, or discarded. Dear friend, if that’s you, Jesus is with you always. 

This Christmas I urge you to look around and see that Jesus has not left you. Look for ways that He meets you, provides for you, sees you, and stays with you. Feel the deep reassurance that no matter the weight of your loneliness, you are truly not alone. Take this knowledge and let it spur you on to bring togetherness instead of isolation. Look for the woman on the street who could use a friend. Keep your eyes open for a friend who might be feeling similarly alone. Invite her in, share your home with her, create space for togetherness. 

Believing the lie that we are alone can only keep us from following Jesus’ call on our lives. Do you think that you cannot possibly find hope or community in the midst of your loneliness? Trust me here—that is just not true. Jesus offers you companionship in Him and access to a community of believers that will remind you that you truly belong. Look around for ways that you see Jesus in your own life and let it fuel you to be the hands and feet of Jesus in other people’s lives. And remember, Jesus is with you always. 

This is an excerpt from the new Christmas devotional Bring on the Merry: 25 Days of Great Joy for Christmas from Candace Cameron Bure.