That’s the title of an old television show about a family being shipwrecked on a deserted planet, sort of a modern Robinson Crusoe. In a way we’re all operating on our own planets, shipwrecked within ourselves, seeking by various means to connect with others. It’s the case, isn’t it, that it’s possible to feel alone even when there are other people around? I’ve often felt that way when I was walking around in a busy city. I used to go into the city occasionally when I was young. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago and the environment—the “vibe” if you will—was completely different there than in the big city. When I was still in High School I thought the city was exciting. We used to ditch class sometimes and jump on a train, spend the day wandering around downtown. I remember seeing construction workers on strike creating a ruckus, hanging off some of the large public sculptures. Another time there was a demonstration by a large crowd advocating for racial equality. Other times we’d take in a movie or go to a ball game. It was interesting and completely foreign compared to suburbia. And it was always crowded; cars and trucks bunched up on the streets; cabs and buses whizzing by. It was fun, plus, we were getting away with something: doing something we weren’t supposed to do, and seemingly getting away with it. Of course, nobody really gets away with anything ultimately, but that’s another issue for another post. The crowds of people were so interesting, all clumped together on the subway, or crowding around a lunch counter. In the city you could see every kind of person imaginable: young and old, black and white, rich and poor. Derelicts sleeping on the sidewalk while the well-to-do were escorted by a door man into a luxury hotel. Whatever was happening was always happening with a lot of people close by.

However, as an adult, certain features of the city have become more apparent to me. For one thing, even with so many people jostling one another for space it was still possible to find pockets of solitude: in a park, or a vacant spot along the beach, or an empty café around the next corner, or a church when there were no services scheduled. All these people crowding each other in one place while other places weren’t being used at all—at least temporarily. It could be strange when you experienced that solitude unexpectedly. Getting off a crowded bus, then walking along a street bustling with activity, then turning a corner and suddenly there wasn’t anyone around. This could be really strange if there weren’t any businesses in the vicinity that were open. Suddenly you’re alone; there may be sounds in the distance, but it was noticeably quiet all around you. If someone did appear there was more to think about. Instead of a mass of people where individuals only occasionally caught your eye, a single individual prompts a measure of assessment. Do they look dangerous, or crazy, or unusual? Even if they don’t present anything strange, you still stay aware of them until you’re alone again. There might be relief once they were gone—the possible threat was no longer there. Yet being alone can prompt a certain uneasiness of a different kind. It can feel like your disconnected. It’s something that we all need to deal with: other people can be a potential threat but being alone can be strange too. A lot of people try to counteract a feeling of vulnerability by always staying close to the ones they know. Families, or teams, or gangs provide an environment that limits the amount of time that you spend alone. But even when there are people around a sense of isolation can overtake us. That sense of connection to others is vulnerable to disagreement, misunderstanding, or simple distraction. We’re not always marching in step with each other, and it can make us feel alone even when we’re in the same room.

Aloneness is a conundrum for everyone and one of the first things addressed by the Lord, after He had created the world and the first man, was the problem of being alone.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

Having said that, the Lord created Eve and presented her to Adam as a helpmate who would provide the companionship that they both needed. The problem is once the first couple decided not to obey the Lord, being alone became a state of being for all people everywhere. That’s because the most fundamental element of being alone is in relationship with God. Separation from the Lord constitutes an aloneness that can’t really be rectified by anything except the cross. In essence, this side of Eden we’re all “lost in space,” shipwrecked within ourselves. This is something I’ve tried point out in other posts. Aloneness is a fundamental condition regardless of our background or current circumstances. We need to understand that in order to take full advantage of what the Lord’s provided for us through the death and resurrection of the Christ. Even though faith has relieved us of our sense of guilt, we may not appreciate the depth of God’s provision. We can spend our lives trying to ward off a nagging emptiness that can only be rectified superficially through our relationships with others. Some efforts to address this condition can be beneficial such as joining a church or finding the right person to marry. However, even in these circumstances aloneness can still press in on our souls and nip at our heals because it’s only in relationship with God that our aloneness can truly by rectified. And the central feature that brings focus to our relationship with God is love.

Fellowship with other like-minded Christians can provide companionship and a shared sense of direction in our lives, but we’re all imperfect in our efforts to love one another. Often, we’re practicing a version of loving one another that’s derived from the world around us. Self-sacrifice, sharing common goals, providing encouragement and council are all good actions to take in support of one another. However, they’re often based on approaches derived from this world. Humanistic affirmations of fair play, common goals, justice for all, and the preservation of personal freedoms may seem noble in the context of a democratic republic, but they’re not really an expression of the love that’s indicated in scripture. That’s because the love promoted in the Bible is not a love that is derived from our own emotions and will. The love that’s expressed in the Bible is a love derived from God Himself. It’s in fellowship with God that we’re able to love and be loved. The Lord God is the source of the love indicated in the Bible, for love is the Lord’s essential characteristic. And fellowship with the Lord is the essential remedy for the human condition of aloneness that nags at us all.

What we need to do is cultivate that fellowship in order to fully rectify the impact of sin that has isolated us from ourselves and others. Christians who haven’t investigated the full impact of the Christ’s death on the cross tend to adhere their exoneration before Holy God to a view of themselves derived from this world. Applying a bandage to a wound is effective for promoting healing, but it only works to repair the body. Scar tissue and fracture lines remain. The body is recovered from its compromised condition, but the evidence of injury is still there. That’s not the Gospel in its full dynamic. The Gospel provides a means of recovering the essence of our existence, which is unencumbered fellowship with the Lord. That’s the challenge presented to us by the apostles. We can be convinced that the penalty for our sins has been fulfilled by the cross while, at the same time, we are still plagued by the impact of our fallen condition. We’re still alone behind our eyes, trying to relieve ourselves through active engagement in the activities associated with Christian faith. We go to church, we evangelize, we fellowship with other believers, we even pray, and study the scriptures. But it may still be the case that we don’t know the Lord very well. We know about Him, we enjoy talking about Him with others, we do those things that we’re encouraged to do; but our fellowship with Him is superficial. This renders us vulnerable. It’s in fellowship with God that we can fulfill His purposes and obtain all that has been provided for us on the cross. I’ve emphasized this excerpt from the Bible before, and it’s worth considering in this discussion as well. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, said:

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:1–11 NASB95)

This abiding fellowship addresses the natural condition of aloneness that is the product of sin. And abiding in Him is something that we can practice. It involves a determination to live our lives in fellowship with the Lord. It’s not a matter of doing the right things so that we can obtain His favor; rather it involves a cultivation of familiarity with the Lord that involves Him in everything we do and think. Such a relationship with Him fulfills us in ways that common companionship cannot.

At the same time, we mustn’t forget that there is an enemy out there. And in our environment, he doesn’t usually express himself in supernatural ways. His efforts among us work to distract us, to invite us to focus on things that may be good up to a point, but they also work to deviate us from the full impact of knowing the Lord. That’s why prominent, impactful believers can end up doing things completely out of character. And it doesn’t have to be a major event for most of us. Everything seems to be fine and then you turn a corner and you’re all alone…like in the big city, once again “lost in space,” vulnerable to temptation. It’s unexpected if we’re not staying alert. However, I think that over time such a posture before the Lord can become usual, even natural for us. We don’t go anywhere without Him. Whatever corner we turn our Lord is always there with us, and not just with us in thought and word, but with us in heart and mind.

This discussion reminds me of an old chorus we used to sing. It was probably used to promote a prosperity Gospel, which I don’t embrace, but it still speaks to the sentiments of this post:

I have a new way of living,

I have a new life divine.

I have the fruit of the Spirit;

I’m abiding, abiding in the vine.

Abiding in the vine, abiding in the vine,

Love , joy, health, peace He has made them mine.

I have prosperity, power and victory

Abiding, abiding, in the vine.