WELCOME
The Salt Newsletter

Welcome to The Salt Newsletter, a weekly email where I aim to provide insight from scripture and teach you how to teach this to someone else. 

In Acts 1:1, Luke states that in his gospel he wrote about all that “Jesus began to do and teach.” An important model for us all because it isn’t just important for us to do what scripture says. We should be quick to teach it to others as well. Why? Because we’re the salt of the earth and that’s how you and I will make disciples of all nations!

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THIS WEEK
Killing Loneliness.

read time 6 minutes

I find it remarkable that even those at the pinnacle of success grapple with the profound challenge of loneliness. President Harry Truman, despite his monumental role in shaping peace post-World War II, confessed in his personal diary:

“...my family & myself would be happy outside this great white jail known as the White House.”

The reason is simple: Loneliness is not a respecter of persons. In fact, loneliness is a universal companion regardless of what your roles or responsibilities might be. If you find yourself reading this, chances are you're familiar with the pain of loneliness. It’s more than just physical solitude.

It’s possible that loneliness for you feels relational, emotional, or even spiritual.

Digging deeper, loneliness often manifests as a void in purpose, meaning, or identity which can cast a shadow of hopelessness over your whole existence!

The Roots of Loneliness

Of course, everything starts at the Garden of Eden. Initially designed for humans to bask in the love and communion with God, things took a tragic turn with the serpent's deception of Adam and Eve.

The lie, "You will surely not die... you will be like God, knowing good and evil," birthed not an immediate physical death but a relational one—a separation from God. In other words… loneliness.

“Adam, where are you?”

Feels like an ignorant question, no? God, The Creator of the universe, walking through the garden He created doesn’t know where the being He created is? That’s because God walking through the garden, calling out to Adam, is not concerned of where he physically is, but rather of relational absence He sensed. Much like a returning war veteran, physically present but emotionally distant.

But it’s through that question, “Adam, where are you”, that we see God beginning the process of pursuing you and I. He knew He never meant or intended for His people to be alone. And God tells the serpent at that very moment:

Genesis 3:15b: “...He shall crush your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

In other words, God prophecies victory for mankind over darkness, permanently defeating loneliness and separation from God forever through His Son Jesus.  

Overcoming Loneliness: A Threefold Approach

So, how do we rise above the crippling feeling of loneliness? The journey out of solitude requires intentionality.

_{1. Be Intentional With Your Thoughts}

Combat the enemy's lies that feed into the notion of perpetual isolation. Recognize these as active deceptions contrary to God's truth. In 1 Peter 5:8, we're reminded to be sober-minded and watchful against the adversary's tactics.

_{2. Be Intentional With Your Efforts}

For thousands of years, humans have communed around fires to tell stories and relate to one another. Identify the communal fire around which you can gather with others that love the Lord. Whether it's a simple catch-up on the couch, a Saturday morning basketball game, or a Sunday worship service, intentional efforts to connect with others defeat the path of loneliness.

_{3. Be Intentional With Your Outreach}

As children of God, we carry the responsibility to combat loneliness not only for those who don't know Jesus but also for fellow believers. Engage purposefully, understanding the power of your presence to bring light into someone else's solitude. Be the hands of feet of Jesus in someone else's life before it’s too late.

No one was lonelier than Jesus. In fact, he personally experienced the world's loneliest moment when He felt the separation of His Father while bearing the weight of the world’s sin, feeling forsaken.

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”

(My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?)

But it was this moment on the cross where Jesus remembered what was promised to be restored back in Genesis. You see, God began the work to pursue you and I the moment the relationship was broken simply because it wasn’t part of His original design for you.

And the moment Jesus resurrected from the dead, He was able to confidently and boldly say in Matthew 28:20b, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

TEACH THIS LESSON TO OTHERS

1. Embrace Vulnerability: Use your personal experiences to discuss times when you felt lonely. Be vulnerable and build a trust with others so you can be the hands and feet of Jesus in their lives. Explain how navigating loneliness was a way for you to lean into your faith in Jesus more.

2. Discuss The Cross: A huge issue is people not understanding that Jesus relates to every emotion we’ve ever had, including loneliness. Unpack what it meant for Jesus to feel “forsaken” on the cross.

3. Explain Intentionality: Drive home the three key points on how loneliness is defeated. First, we must be intentional with our thoughts, then we must be intentional with our efforts and finally we must be intentional with others.

4. Get Them Plugged Into a LOCAL Church: Encourage individuals to surround themselves with a community grounded in shared beliefs, fostering an environment that uplifts and inspires both personal and spiritual growth. A church is an essential component of the journey as a disciple of Christ.

A PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

I pray for all my readers who are battling loneliness. I’m reminded of what you said on the cross. “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Jesus, even you knew what loneliness felt like.

And in this moment I ask that you heal my brother and sister of the pain they feel. Lord, you told us you are with us always and because of that we’re never alone. Thank you for defeating the consequences of sin and giving us restored relationship with you.

Help us to walk in the freedom of joy, peace and strength. Thank you that even right now you are sending us good and Godly company to strengthen one another and look more like you. We love you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.