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Isolation

For a variety of reasons, this was an emotionally draining week for me. By Thursday afternoon I was empty. I don't know about you, but when I feel this way my instinct is to withdraw. Sometimes solitude is the best thing for you, and it serves a purpose. Many of us need to be wise about our pursuit of solitude because it can led to isolation, which is not helpful but is actually harmful to our emotional health. Thursday night we went to dinner with some friends from church, and though I went feeling drained, I came home feeling more refreshed. We all need to cultivate friendships with those feed us, who are givers and not just takers.

Our modern culture tends to move us naturally toward isolation. It can take deliberate, persistent effort to remain connected with the people in our lives. It is not unusual to find a group of Christian friends, a Sunday School class, even an entire church that is physically present together but are emotionally and spiritually isolated from one another. True unity and intimacy in the body of Christ must be cultivated and protected by wise and sensitive people.

Our society tends to hunger for intimacy. People know they need it but do not have the faintest idea how to achieve it in healthy ways. We have MySpace and Facebook, countless chatrooms and "find your mate" websites, there are speed dating parties, and so forth.

I saw the latest sensation this morning: Cuddle Parties. I am not making this up. These are organized events with facilitators, strict rules such as no sex or booze, and the people...well, they cuddle with each other. Take a peek at their website. It is fascinating. http://www.cuddleparty.com/

Again I ask, do the Christians in our culture have a way of living that is more attractive, more enriching, more inviting than cuddle parties?

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