Years ago, a song flooded Christians Circles with the thought that because we are Christians we will never be lonely again. I recall using the song often in my daily radio programs. Over time I realized, via the mail in notes, that many people found the song less than true, at least in their lives. I have thought about this for many years and in varied situations. The late Robin Williams shed some light on at least part of the problem:
“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.” Robin Williams.
Despite his outstanding genius, Robin took his own life. I gather from his emptiness in life, that he does represent many empty souls, wandering along life’s path.
A look at life from a few different prisms will reveal the truth I have heard repeated by the men in prisons, where I teach or preach. The philosophy is not complicated. Here it is in simple form. “Water seeks its own level.”
“Water seeks its own level” means that people upon entering prison seek others with whom they “fit” thus getting a feeling of acceptance by the group. Observing how this works is worth the effort.
Many men and women in or out of prison, or in or out of the perceived “in” crowd, adopt a false personality in a vain effort to “fit” into a group that is vastly different than themselves. The group, seeking their own level, consciously or unconsciously rejects the person who is not one of them, or grasps the striving of the want to be, and takes advantage of them by pretending to be friends, especially when their considered in crowd is absent. But, when the crowd’s kind is around the seeker is emotionally alone.
A quick glance at this would cause one to think, “Well, in the church we are ONE in Christ, therefore, all Christians are part of the “in” crowd!” Dream on! The same dynamic is in play in all groups. The lesson, be yourself and follow the Lord’s lead as Jesus leads you into true friendships where you will give and receive true camaraderie, of Christ. Keep in mind, even the Apostles did not get along all that well.
True friends do not cause you to feel “alone.”
Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Check Oral Deckard for great IT work.