The Lonely

December 24, 2009

By Hal Donaldson

Looking up from his notebook computer, an executive in an expensive suit struck up a conversation with me at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. We briefly discussed weather, sports and politics before boarding our flight — never reaching the subject of faith.

In our few minutes together, however, I sensed the businessman was wrestling with loneliness and a lack of fulfillment. Lord, I prayed silently, please seat me next to him on the flight so we can talk some more. Unfortunately he held a first-class ticket, and I was seated in the back of the plane.

When the plane landed three hours later, I couldn’t locate him in the crowd. Reluctantly I proceeded to the rental car counter, realizing I would probably never see him again. I didn’t know his name, his employer or his hometown. I only knew he needed a friend; he needed answers. Now all I could do was pray for him.

Time and again Jesus sought out the lonely. He found them in the marketplace, in neighborhoods and in the countryside. He reached out to the wealthy and poor alike, because He knew loneliness infects persons of every socioeconomic group.

This Christmas, invite Jesus to help you reach out to someone who needs a friend. It doesn’t matter if they live in a gated community or under a cardboard box. It doesn’t matter if they drive a Lexus or wander the streets at night. Ask the Lord to lead you to someone who is lonely, because there are millions who are one friend away from finding Christ. And that friend may be you.

— Hal Donaldson served as editor of the Pentecostal Evangel for 13 years, and leads Convoy of Hope in Springfield, Mo.