Could this Help with Being Alone?

This week the Surgeon general released a report stating that one in two people admit to feeling isolated or alone. Things have not trended well since the pandemic. God made us for friendships. He said it's not good for us to be alone. (Gen. 2:18)

Matthew was a guy who knew what loneliness felt like. Before he was a follower of Jesus he was public enemy #1. A tax collector. Worse yet, he was a Jewish tax collector. He was ripping off his own people on behalf of the despised Roman government. After he gave Rome their cut, he kept the rest to himself. He wasn't welcome in church. He testimony wasn't invited to court and nobody in the family thought to inform him of the family BBQ..

Then Jesus came. Offered him a brand new life and he jumped at the opportunity. One of the first things he did was invite his cronies over to a meet and greet with Jesus read his story here. Jesus once again was criticized over his choice of dinner companions.

But it never bothered Jesus. Jesus mission was to restore people far from God and one another. He welcomes us. Wants to be with us & spend time with us. Jesus knows the one thing lonely people need is love and value. Do you know this? Could spending with Jesus & others, encouraging them in their walk with Jesus be what we need?

The Surgeon general said one of the things needed today is to restore "kindness, respect, service and commitment to one another." Sounds very similar to what Jesus had in mind for believers and the church. Messes need mercy. Messed up people need mercy more than judgement. Join me in being part of the Jesus solution!.

See ya on Sunday!

Pastor Mike
PS - So very grateful for all the new faces we are seeing. Each face has a name. Jesus saw Matthew- the man, the person and ended up at his home at a party. Once a month for May- August have someone or a family over to share some good food and good company!

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