One is Not a Lonely Number

I visited Chicago with my sister and two nieces. It was all big buildings and masses of people everywhere. We had fun but I did get an occasional feeling that I was just one of the masses.

I think that feeling alone in a crowd is not uncommon. Sometimes we all feel that we are by ourselves even with people around us especially if we are surrounded by strangers.

One night as we were waiting to get into a restaurant for Chicago pizza (and, no, it’s not anything like we serve in Alabama,) a young woman offered to take our picture. We chatted with her for a bit and found out she is from Alabama and going to Moody Bible Institute. I told her that I was familiar with Moody and she said, “Oh, are you a Christian?” Well, that started a whole new level of friendship. Suddenly we weren't strangers anymore. Suddenly we had a connection and a unity.

She was precious and I told her I would pray for her. She shared the path she felt God wanted for her future. And she was so appreciative for the encouragement of me just saying she would be in my prayers. BTW, Sidney and I are Facebook friends now so we can keep in touch.

After that God-planned meeting, I was reading in Ephesians 4. Look at all the unities surrounded by the “ones.”

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

Sidney was just back to start a new semester at Moody and I imagine that being far from home can make you feel lonely sometimes. But God put us together to bear one another in love and to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Even though we each are one, we are

1.    In one body of believers

2.    Each possessing the one Spirit that keeps us unified

3.    One in the hope of our calling

4.    Joined by one faith in one Lord

5.    One in our profession of faith and submission to Christ in baptism

6.    Children of one God the Father of all of us

We are never alone no matter where we are in this great big world filled with people. We are unified with other believers around us whether we know of their existence or not

 I love this Christian family

.

 It’s a group in which a woman from Demopolis, Alabama can meet a woman from Montgomery, Alabama in downtown Chicago and feel like we've known each other forever. We can hug and pray for each other and have instant unity that will last throughout eternity.

Look around.

You are not alone.

One is not a lonely number.