I read the tragic story of a young woman who had committed suicide. She was found dead in her apartment after self-inflicted wounds.
On the outside, no one would really know that she was struggling. She was not on drugs, she was not an alcoholic. She was not on welfare. She had never been to jail. She was not a social outcast. She was respectable. She had a career. She jogged. Prior to Covid she hosted parties for her friends. She had an apartment that overlooked a bay.
So, what was it that led to her being so low that she took her own life? She was lonely. Her diary was found next to her bed and it revealed the inner life and struggles of this young woman.
In her loneliness -- she wrote in her diary -- "I see people together & I'm so jealous I want to throw up. -- What about me? -- What about me?” "Who is going to love me? -- I feel so old. -- Unloved. -- Abandoned. -- I want to cry & sleep forever.”
My heart breaks reading a story like that. I think why didn’t she know Jesus? Why didn’t someone tell her about the relationship should could have had with Christ that would have given her hope, joy, and strength. I wish she could have known the presence of God that fills our lives.
One of the Christmas carols we sing this time of year is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. The English edition of this song was created in the year 1851 but some historians think the song dates back to around 800 AD. The author obviously had a rich knowledge of both Old and New Testaments. Because of the way in which faith is presented in this carol, this song has been was translated into many languages and is sang at Christmas time all over the world.
The first verse says,
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
I’m struck with the phrase… “We mourn in lonely exile until the Son of God appear…”
In Matthew 1 the angel appears to Joseph and says, “Mary will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
The angel is repeating what the Prophet Isaiah had said 700 years before. His name will be Immanuel…God with us. What do these words mean? God is with us?
John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
So many are alone this Christmas….not just alone without family and friends, but alone from the presence of God.
The woman in our story who took her own life was lonely, even though she had friends.
We have found out that even the best of friends cannot meet our desire for the ULTIMATE friendship. Even people with whom we share a a lot in common can’t be around all the time. Lifelong friends move away or die.
The amazing thing about God is that he is a friend who alway understands. His presence is always with us, even when others are not. He is the ultimate Companion. I understand you—everything about you. I have been there. I have lived life as a human being and unlike other friends I can and will be with you WHEREVER YOU GO in life.” Because of Jesus—because of EMMANUEL—God is with us—ALWAYS! In Hebrews 13:5 God says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
I pray this Christmas you have a renewed sense of God’s presence in your life.
Today’s Challenge: If you have never experienced God’s presence in a personal way—if you’ve never asked Jesus to come in to your heart and life, you don’t have to be ALONE. God can and will come into your life—but only if you invite Him in.
