Are you lonely? Do you need a friend?

The June 11 issue of the Anchorage Daily News published an article entitled, “Poll: Millions in US Struggle Through Life With Few To Trust.” The article explains that national studies show that millions of Americans face a troubling issue. “Millions of Americans are struggling through life with few people they can trust for personal and professional help. . . The poll finds that 18% of U.S. adults, or about 46 million people, say they have just one person, or nobody, they can trust for help in their personal lives, such as emergency child care needs, a ride to the airport, or support when they fall sick. . .” Obviously, this issue became worse through the COVID-19 pandemic, when many stayed home to keep themselves safe, or to keep from infecting others.

I mentioned this newspaper story to my wife after Adult Bible Class at St. John on Sunday, June 13. Our teacher, Hunter Richards, while teaching about Elijah in our class on “’Characters’ of the Bible,” pointed out that God gave Elijah a friend to help him. This friend was fellow prophet, Obadiah. Obadiah helped Elijah when he had to bring God’s message to evil King Ahab. Hunter then reminded us of others in Scripture who had important friends and helpers for the difficult tasks God gives.

Kathy then mentioned something we heard St. John member, Kirsten Nelson, say many times over the years. Kirsten worked as a Social Worker at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In her position, Kirsten often helped people without support from others. As volunteer chaplain, I heard Kirsten say, and as a Registered Nurse on staff, Kathy heard Kirsten say, “You need to join a church.” Kirsten’s explanation went something like this. If someone lives by themselves, perhaps in a dry cabin hauling water, or perhaps cutting their own wood for fire, someday they would need help. They would need a friend. They would need someone who cares for them, checks on them, listens to them, and who could help them if they became ill. It was during these times of illness that Kirsten would come in contact with such people who lived alone, and not just in remote cabins. However, Kirsten saw the sense of community, she saw the care given, and she observed the Christian love shared through a worshiping community, through Bible Classes, and through church service groups. Seeing people who needed love and friendship, Kirsten had observed that the love and care which people needed was often found in local Christian churches.

In Bible class, Hunter quoted Genesis 2:18. “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” In this case, God created Eve to give to the man, to give to Adam, as a companion. Adam’s companion was his wife. But, God also provides love and friendship and companionship through other relationships. King David wrote, “5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families . . .” (Psalm 68:5-6 a) Our Lord knows that we need others. We need friends. We need healthy relationships.

As Kirsten observed, one of the places where our Lord gives this community is in His Church. In 1 John, we read, “10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:10-11) God has blessed us with His undeserved love in Jesus. This love of Jesus calls and empowers God’s people to love one another. Or, as God teaches us through Paul in 1 Corinthians. “26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27) We are part of the body of Christ, people of God who suffer and rejoice with each other.

Unfortunately, even though God’s church is made for community with one another as we grow in Christ’s love, the church is made up of sinners, people who need forgiveness. Sometimes, as sinners, the church does not necessarily show the love and concern to which God calls us. There are times when God’s people can be petty, can take offense, can act in judgmental ways, can fall short of the love we are shown by God. However, even when we fail, the church of God is a family built on the love and the forgiveness of Jesus. I have seen the love of God shine forth from His children onto those around them. What a blessing! No wonder the Psalmist writes, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)

Are you lonely? Do you need a friend? Perhaps this loneliness has grown worse during our recent pandemic. I encourage you, come to church. There you will not only hear of God’s gracious, saving love for you in Jesus. In a Christian congregation, you may also meet a fellow redeemed child of God. Listen, laugh, worship, pray, and help one another. After all, God is the one who said it. “It is not good for the man to be alone.”