For I am lonely and afflicted"
Nouwen writes that loneliness
Is the universal experience
No matter what we do
How many parties we attend
How many people we surround ourselves with
We are still afflicted with loneliness
But this is actually not a bad thing!
Believe it or not
This loneliness, this emptiness
That afflicts us is a reminder
A beacon
To our most basic longing
To be connected to our loving Creator
This loneliness can actually
Be a trusted companion
To invite us into the presence
Of the Holy Other
Of course the way of loneliness
Is dangerous
It is a cliff edge
It is a sharp precipice
But The Lord is there
If we harken to his gentle voice
He will lead us and
Welcome us into this holy space
That starts with a feeling of loneliness
A deep sense that there must be
Something more
And thank God
There is!
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