Have you ever had one of those birthdays where everyone knows its your birthday but they are intentionally not saying anything because there is a surprise party later? Once you get to the party it’s all fun and games, but before that it really leaves you feeling like no one cares about you.

Or maybe you are feeling a little lonely then when you get to church your best friend doesn’t immediately come up to you and ask you how you’ve been like you were hoping she would. Not that she doesn’t care, she just doesn’t know you are feeling upset… but it leaves you even more upset and on top of that, now you don’t feel like you can talk to your friend about it.

Even something as simple as you had a bad day then you get home and try to talk to your mom and she is too busy to talk or work through any of these feelings with you. Or your best guy friend and best girl friend have started dating and you don’t know who you are going to hang out with anymore…

I could go on and on with these examples, but the point I am trying to make is this: There will be times in our life where we feel alone, times when earthly comfort isn’t enough or those around us can’t be what we need. No matter who you are or how strong you think you are, the Earth will break you, you cannot do this alone… so what do we do about that?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

We trust in the Lord. With Him all things are made new and He leads us to calm pastures and still waters. He comforts our weary soul, He gives us the Living Water, the bread of life.

When we try to draw our security from the things around us, we fall. We fail ourselves because these things are temporary, they are simply a chasing after the wind.

That friend group we think so highly of, the one that attends every church service and every event– they will fail you.

Your best friend who you tell everything to and that you have known your whole life– they will fail you.

Your parents, who love you more than anyone else on this earth could possibly love you– will fail you.

But with all of this, we shouldn’t be discouraged. Take heart! Because no matter what the circumstance or what we do, God will never leave us and He loves us more than any earthly person or group everever could. That’s good news right?

It goes back to what we heard in Romans 5:8 last semester: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

We sin, we fail, we try and we will never succeed in earning His love… but it doesn’t matter. His love surpasses all understanding and all reason. It is perfect and just and I just want you, Specifically YOU, right now on your phone or on your computer, to know that God. Loves. You.

I say that often and it is never less true. With Christ we are more than conquerers and we have overwhelming victory against our enemy.

You are loved. It really is that simple.

Last night, we showed others around us that despite our shortcomings and despite our failures as earthly beings, we have an intentional Christian community here at the Well. We broke bread together through Communion and then we had a feet washing ceremony.

If you missed out on this last night, I recommend seeking out a few of your friends and intentionally telling them what they mean to you. Tell them that you support them as a brother/sister in Christ and that they are so loved.

It’s amazing what the Spirit will do when you can do these things. It was a powerful experience opening up to people in this way last night and I feel that is exactly how our community grows: in times such as this.

In closing, you are loved beyond measure by our Heavenly Father. Nothing will change that. 

Also, we can build an intentional community of believers here that will support us in ways that no one else on this earth could, but we must first draw our security and our delight from God and what He did for us.

I love you guys.

Dear Lord, fill our hearts with You.

When nothing else works on this earth, make nothing else matter but Your love and Your kindness. We have fallen and will continue to do so every day, but give us the patience required to seek You first when we have doubts or get sad. Teach us how to love others the way that You have first loved us and guide us as we stray from the path You have made for us. Thank You for this day and help us to be intentional in our relationships today Father. Give us the courage and the boldness to seek others who are hurting or feel alone. To tell them they are not. Lord, take this day. Thank You for loving us. Amen.

-TK