Cosmic Loneliness: Alone in the Universe?

During our darkest hours, we instinctively turn to God, knowing that nothing else can cure our feeling of aloneness. This God-given drive is a “cosmic loneliness” that cannot be satisfied by any person on earth. It is aptly described by Augustine: “God made us for Himself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Him.”

In ‘Alone in the Universe,’ Astrophysicist David Wilkinson says, “Men and women made in the image of the Creator of the Universe feel alienated from God. The Christian faith says we are not alone. God wants to be in relationship with us.” Likewise, Scripture says God desires for all to “seek and find Him” (Act 17:27).  

If you’re the kind of person who feels this loneliness, you’re not alone. Moreover, if you’ve been rejected, misunderstood, and alienated, you’re really not alone. The man who was more “despised and rejected” than anyone who ever lived, a “man of sorrows and grief” (Is. 53:3), says to you, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Heb. 13:5). And that alone is the cure for cosmic loneliness.

Close the door behind you

We used to take our kids to a water theme park in San Jose called “Raging Waters”—replete with towering slides and ‘white-water’ rapids. I strongly doubt it would have drawn many crowds if it had been a place of quiet reflection pools. 

In the 21st century, we are (metaphorically speaking) bombarded by a cacophony of crashing waterfalls and raging waters! And not just external, the noise is inside our heads. If we can’t hear ourselves think, how will we ever hear the voice of God? Have the words, “be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10) ever been more relevant?

Even a casual survey of God’s men and women in the Bible reveals that all were alone in quiet places when they heard God. And of course Jesus’ sought out “solitary places” (Mark 1:35) to be alone and quiet with His Father.

Perhaps knowing that his 21st century followers might not find that kind of solitude, Jesus said, “when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you [shut off your digital connectors], and pray to your Father in private” (Matt. 6:6). In today's parlance, “Let’s get out of this noisy place and go somewhere quiet where we can talk.”

Are You as Close to God as You Want to Be?

People use “spatial” terminology when they speak of getting closer to God. But in fact, there is nothing you can do to get closer to God than you already are. God has loved you infinitely and become one with you in Christ. He indwells you. You can’t get closer than that. Given that, what does he mean when James says “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you?”

Since James’ statement is not “spatial,” it must be “dynamic.” The phrase “draw near” helps us understand. It means communion and fellowship with God in prayer. How do we “draw near” to Him?

This is how theologian Arthur Pink describes it: “by meditating, thinking upon, and contemplating His complex person, His glorious titles, His compassionate intercession, His precious promises, His Living Word, He may have a constant place, the supreme place, in our thoughts and in our affections.” Then Pink said something that really caught my attention: “The apostle prayed [Eph. 3:17-19] for the saints to have a spiritual enjoyment of Him so that He would be present and precious to the soul.”

Is there someone special in your life whose company you enjoy? You just like being near them, right? Do you enjoy Jesus like that? Do you love just being with Him? This is the ‘nearness’ we all desire. In the Song of Solomon, the Shulammite woman who represents the Bride of Christ, says: “I must seek him whom my soul loves… when I found him whom my soul loves, I held on to him and would not let him go…” (3:2, 4). And through the prophet Jeremiah, God says “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (19:13). It’s up to you: you really can be as close to God as you want to be!