There is an important truth that needs to be highlighted that was revealed by this pandemic. We live in a culture of constant stimulation. We are not at ease (diseased) when we are isolated and feel alone. It is captured by the title of one of my favorite songs by Elvis. “Are you lonely tonight?”
There is a big difference between solitude and loneliness. Loneliness is a feeling of being isolated. One FEELS that something is missing. Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of being engaged with oneself.
It hasn’t dawned on the Russian government that you could take over our country without hacking our elections. They could require people to be in their homes, alone or not talking with a family member, with no devices allowed, not indicating when this period of time would be over. I am afraid a good many would walk out their front doors with their hands up.
What an opportunity to be aware that we need to become friends with ourselves and/or ourselves and our God. That is one of the lessons that the pandemic has taught us.
There is a movement throughout our nation referred to as Mindfulness Studies. It is required in certain medical schools, in businesses and other places where attention is required and a sense of our inner being. The simple version is that you focus on your breathing and put everything else out of your mind. It sounds simple, but most people find it very difficult to do in our sound bite and constant stimulation culture. The meaning of FOMO is clearly a dis-ease, makes us uneasy, part of where we are. It stands for “fear of missing out”. So what are we missing? I believe that it stated in the definition of religion which is derived from the Latin word ligio which means “to connect” like our ligaments in our body. Religion is that holy connection among self, others, and God.
We often forget that prayer is a way to make friends with our God for prayer is conversation with the Holy One. I was given a shirt which had “Prayer is the Ultimate connection” printed across the front.
“Are you lonely tonight?” This could be one of the most important questions that comes out of this pandemic.
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