| The Every Day of Life |
Chapter 10 |
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The comfort of our Lord’s heart in his loneliness is for us too if we are walking in his steps. We too have our experiences of loneliness in this world, and we too may have the blessed companionship that shall fill the emptiness. In a certain sense all life is lonely. Even with sympathetic companionships all about us, there is an inner life which each of us lives altogether alone. We must make our own choices and decisions. We must meet our own questions and answer them ourselves. We must fight our own battles, endure our own sorrows, and carry our own burdens. Friendship may be very close and tender, but there is a sanctuary of each life into which even the holiest friendship may not enter.
“Still in each heart of hearts a hidden deep
Lies, never fathomed by its dearest, best.”
Blessed are they, who in loneliness can say, Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”God’s is the only friendship that can really meet all our soul’s deep needs and cravings. Human companionship helps us at a few points; the divine has its blessing for every experience. We never shall be left alone when we have Christ. When other helpers’ fail and comforts flee, he will ever stand close beside us. When other faces fade out of view his will shine out with tender love, pouring its light upon us.
There are special experiences of loneliness in every life for which Christ is needed. Youth is one of these times. Youth seems happy and light-hearted. Companionships swarm all about it. But oftentimes a young person feels lonely even amid such scenes and friendships. All life is new to him. As his soul awakens a thousand questions arise demanding an answer. He is in this world with a thousand paths, and he must choose in which he will walk. Everything is mysterious. There are perils lurking on all sides. Choices must be made. Lessons must be learned. All is new, and at every step the voice is heard, “You have not passed this way heretofore.” This loneliness of inexperience, when a young soul is taking its earliest steps in life, is one of the most trying and painful feelings of all the years. If Christ were not then the companion, lonely and perilous indeed is the way. But if he walks beside the young soul in its inexperience all is well.
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