Reflections on the Season

As a boy, I remember always feeling like I was on the outside looking in; that I never truly belonged; that I was out of place. There are a variety of reasons for this. My isolation was a lonely feeling. Before long, I convinced myself that it was what I wanted, but it was only self deception. Man was created for companionship not isolation. Loneliness is a harbinger of a deeper hunger; stronger than just wanting to belong, it was the hunger to be loved and to feel love. One day Jesus spoke to my heart, breaking through the isolation and the walls I had built up to protect my heart from the hurt. I learned that He loved me and wanted me to belong to Him. He wanted me to live with Him forever. He wanted to heal the pain and the hurt and embrace me. There are many people who are hurting at this time of year. The holidays extenuate their loss and lonliness.  People tend to be more depressed more at this time of year.  Funeral homes report that their volume of business increases as well.  People feel as if they are on the outside looking in and wanting to belong. So how can we help as a church?  This year let us continue to strive… to excel in making it our goal to see that people come to know that Jesus cares and wants them to belong.  Let us insure that we care and want them to belong as we reach out. The Thanksgiving and Christmas season is more than knowing you belong... it is knowing you are loved.