10/9/2025 .

It is one of the paradoxes of our time: people live closer together than ever before, yet many feel lonelier than ever, too. Houses are stacked side by side, neighborhoods are dense, workplaces full of colleagues—and yet the reality for so many is loneliness. The appearance of community often masks its absence.

Superficial interactions fill our schedules: work, meetings, church, scouts, sports, a Saturday night out, but these rarely grow into deep, life-giving, fulfilling relationships. Friendships at work can feel strong, but try taking a few months off or changing jobs, and most will vanish without a call or visit. Beneath the surface busyness of modern life, many find themselves profoundly disconnected.

Loneliness and Depression

This lack of real community has consequences. Chronic depression is everywhere, and much of it flows from this very isolation. Human beings need to feel loved, needed, and appreciated. We need connection. We need relevance.

Technology has not solved this, in fact, it often makes the problem worse. You might email 30 to 50 acquaintances and hear back from one or two. Silence has become the norm. Ironically, even with endless ways to “stay connected,” many of us feel ignored, overlooked, unappreciated, and forgotten.

Meanwhile, the constant stream of entertainment at our fingertips does little to fill the void. If we are honest, much of the time we are far from truly happy.

Why We Don’t Connect

Why is this happening? In large part because we don’t feel the need to connect anymore. Modern life prizes independence. We like to think we can go it alone. But this was never how life was meant to be. Human beings are emotionally wired to support multiple relationships within a community.  Without this, something inside us withers.

What We Can Do

This trend can change, but only if we are willing to act.

At church, we could be more welcoming to those with different perspectives and perhaps lesser social standing. We could also carve out more space for real social connection and conversation rather than just formal meetings, classes, and programs.

At work, we could be a little braver in being friendly, supportive, and genuine with our colleagues. We could also make a sincere effort to socialize with our colleagues outside of the workplace.

At home, we could open our doors more often and invite others over for meals or evening gatherings.

Everywhere we look, we can find small opportunities to serve, encourage, and connect. Even simple acts of kindness can build a real sense of community.

A Better Way

Ultimately, this isn’t just about happiness; it’s about purpose. We were made for one another. We were made to love, serve, socialize, and support one another as friends and fellow disciples of Christ.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

To live isolated lives is to live contrary to who we are meant to be. Real community doesn’t just happen. It grows and improves when we choose to connect, to care, and to love with deliberate sincerity and purpose.

If we want a happier, healthier world, we must rebuild community, not the shallow kind, but the kind where people are truly known, needed, and loved.

---