Those are words that seem to just trickle down the mouth of an almost twenty-seven year old that was more concerned about life after she just thought it was figured out. It was a job that she just lost the day before, and concern of how the bills were going to get paid for on a first new house and pretty new car that brought her to this place. In the midst of our conversation about what she is going to do, the soon to come many resumes, interviews, and hopes of something better, she said something so peculiar that it struck a chord once she said it.

“I don’t know why I’m so depressed. I have a nice house, a nice car, and everything I could ever have wanted,� came the statement. I responded, “Yeah, but when you’re home who do you share it with? Where do you go in your car?� Silence entered in and the answer to it all just came crashing down in a loud silence. After the pause she then said, “I share it with no one, and I just go home and to my parent’s house.� Depression is a scary thing, much scarier for the one who has no one to really give their pain too or share their life with. The parents are always there, living close by, but they can’t live in the same roof forever and can only do so much with you. The church is there but no one is there that’s her age or in the same part of life to even relate. She was recently diagnosed with a depression condition that was apparently in all four of the grandparents, and she got the worst end of it all. Doesn’t that just make you want to sing “Hallelujah!� to your Creator? So much of the worst that it’s become close to suicidal in her life, and being alone doesn’t help.

We all need those people to go to, commune with, enjoy life together, share pains, joys, and just talk to. One of the greatest gifts God gave us was the Christian community, one that is not by physical boundaries, but everywhere. God ahead, try to map it out, but you can’t divide the brother in Christ of mine from China away from me because Christ is stronger than anything we’ll ever know. As this lady said those words, and then shared the fact that she’s not finding community in the church, or that she is afraid to even make an effort speak to a stranger, or get out of her introverted personality makes her scared. Just a few days before she admitted that she felt like there was no purpose in her life; what she was doing didn’t mean a whole lot in her view. Oh, but it does.

How beautiful it is to know that even in our darkest moments God is there, and when we feel alone that He never leaves. This world will play funny tricks, and even the “Christian American Dream� will tell you that Jesus is life, but you still need to keep up with the Jones’. I mean, Jesus didn’t really mean to lose all that stuff to be a Christian did he? Then you wake up from that awful dream and realize that life was more, and hitting the late 20’s (or any age) sure isn’t the best time to find out. You start to see that the American Dream was making you something more than you never were. We all need relationships, community, and life is found best there in those that God puts in your life. On a road trip with friends, the best part of the whole trip is the road because that’s when the greatest stories, conversations, and deepest feelings can be shared.

Being in the college, young adult, and twenty to thirty age range is dangerous because of the many decisions in life we make that will shape our future. The world will want you and set standards, but never forget that God is calling us to be authentic followers of him who want to live real life in community and for His purpose.

If you’re not finding community, or if you wondered if anyone even cares, remember that life is more than you’ll ever know. Sometimes it may take an extra step on your part to reach out, but God is there. It may mean that you just might need to make a move, or better yet lose it all. Maybe this girl needs to lose something in order for gaining; isn’t that kind of life the crazy but awesome view of the gospel? Whatever is needed, I know that she is going to try.

Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what good is it to gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit the very soul.�

Our relationship with Christ is more important than anything, but He never wants you to go through it alone and it’s not really possible. Depression, loneliness, or the view that you have no purpose at all will never be solved by giving up. If you ever feel like you are in that place, please don’t be alone and go find someone that would love to talk to you. Why is it, that we as people feel like we have everything, but depression is at an all-time high in this country? We can’t feed a need for love, relationships, and emotions with stuff and yet we try.

Our purpose is to love God and to make sure that our life is all about Him. Whether in a work place, home, or on a mission trip, He calls us to live for Him. When you do that, the purpose of our lives becomes so much clearer. If you only see life through your eyes, all you see is just through two oval lenses. God wants us to use vision; with our heart, mind, and soul. When you see life through the eyes of God then you’ll see a hurting world, one that needs a Savior, and people who struggle just like you and need a way.

So keep striving to gain the extra money on the paycheck, burning gas on the new SUV, or whatever you feel like doing to become like the Jones’. After all that, I still assure you that God is still much bigger and that you will always find it better joy in the relationships of those that you can share life with. Don’t worry that job will come back soon, and hope is just around the corner.

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