Ever notice isolation around you?

I was reading one of Judi Kruise’s posts today, towards the light, on her blog, It’s not really about me. Reading her post today inspired me to add my two cents to her thoughts.  Judi lamented about our society today, “Distance and distraction leave others feeling less and less light in their lives.”

Jesus calls us to be light in this ever-darkening world. But are we?  After reading Judi’s thoughts I started thinking about my visits to the grocery store, the drug store and other public venues. I agree with Judi, we’re becoming a distracted and isolated people. People are either talking on cell phones, looking at cell phones, or plodding through crowds with buds in their ears, oblivious to the folks around them.

I make it a point to look at people’s faces when I’m out. Rarely will folks make eye contact with me.  If they do, it’s because I’ve been intentional about looking at them. I often wonder what has them wrapped up and seemingly disinterested in their surroundings. Little by little it seems we are becoming an isolated population. Withdrawn and disinterested in participating in the world around us.

Psychologists and counselors identified an illness called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.  The Mayo Clinic reports, “SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.”

I think the entire population these days suffers from SAD. And it’s sad!  Judi says folks are sad SAD because they don’t have enough light in their lives.

Guess who has the remedy for SAD sad. We do, folks. Those of us who love Jesus and claim to be His disciples have light others don’t have.  Do you suppose folks around us are SAD sad because no one’s around to shed the light of Christ on them?

Yes. Someone’s around. We are.

We’re not going to cure depression or relieve diagnosed SAD symptoms. But we can all make life around us a little brighter by shining some of our light on others.

Take a look at Judi’s blog, It’s not really about me.  She’s a thoughtful writer who loves Jesus and intertwines her writing with some of the most beautiful watercolor paintings you will ever see.