UGA Wesley

Leaving Athens and the college lifestyle for three weeks seems like a little bit of heaven during that second or third final. However, come week two of the Christmas break, we begin to feel restless, bored, and even lonely.

It is often at times when the routine of our daily life is broken that we can feel the loneliest. When we do not have the daily schedule of class, naps, Wesley, studying, and working, we begin to feel the effects of our busy lives. All too often, when we fill our lives with activity, we can ignore our truest feelings. However, when our lives are stripped back, when activity no longer rules, we come face to face with what many of us have been denying. In our heart of hearts, we are lonely, we are sad, we are longing for more. Busyness can never be a replacement for true intimacy or true community. This is what we all crave. This is what we were created for.

Feelings of loneliness that creep up during downtime can be a reflection of what an unattended heart looks like. This Christmas break, allow yourself to feel the longings of your heart. If you have bouts of loneliness, allow the Lord to speak the truth of His nearness to you. You are not alone. Do not fill your days with more busyness and activity in an effort to fill your loneliness. Use this opportunity of rest to press into the God who desires for intimacy with Him to be the mark of your life. Turn feelings of loneliness into pursuit of intimacy. He is Immanuel, God WITH us.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 34:18

Challenge: Read the Christmas story in Matthew 1–2. Let God speak to you afresh through this passage about His promise and fulfillment of Christ Immanuel.