Loneliness

I've been thinking about loneliness. I guess that is what happens when you are living slightly alone for a few months. I have come to the conclusion that loneliness is actually quite possibly part of our God given design. Hear me out.
Somewhere along the line in my life I came to this idea (and I don't think it's right) that if I was truly content then I would never feel lonely. Because if I was lonely after all, it must mean I don't believe God is with me. Nothing could be actually further from the truth.
When we are healthy people- we should at times be lonely!
I love to drink my morning coffee ALONE with the Lord, or go for a run alone or on occasion enjoy a leisure book on my couch alone.  This is aloneness..We all need it to some degree or another- granted some need it a bit more than others because they are introverted (and I am slightly.)
But being introverted has nothing to do with loneliness. The beauty of loneliness is that it drives us to community. To family. To relationship. It's why thousands of people night after night and week after week all year long go to the bar after work..because they can not stand the thought of being alone. What if they knew that their loneliness wasn't really just about them?
So, in loneliness I have two options. I can pity myself or look out- and find out who else out there may be lonely. What if I just became their friend, listened to their story, and invited them into my life? Miracle of miracles- no longer am I lonely, but also- no longer is it about me.
Now, you might ask me- how is it that you could ever be lonely? You "live" in community!
Well, let me ask you the same question...how could you ever be lonely? You are surrounded by possibly a family, a job full of people, maybe neighbors and people you see every day. And yet, in the midst of it a person can be lonely..unless they risk truly getting beyond themselves.
And truly it is in the knowing that "He will never leave you or forsake you." that allows me to get beyond myself and reach out. It is what gives me the freedom to say "Hey, what to come over for dinner?" So next time you are feeling lonely, ask yourself the question "who needs a friend today?" And instead of focusing on yourself, you will find your loneliness dissipating as you focus on the needs of others.