A faded shoebox on a closet shelf overflows with cards filled with well wishes, congratulations, sympathy, and appreciation. These words are precious to the recipient, sources of comfort and encouragement and evidence she is loved. They hold the power to lift spirits and remind her she is not alone.

A growing number of people today are feeling alone, so much so that the U.S. Surgeon General has identified that we are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. According to a recent Meta-Gallup survey of more than 140 countries, nearly one in four people feel very or fairly lonely. Living in isolation and feelings of loneliness have been linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, premature mortality, depression, dementia, and vulnerability in disasters. To address this epidemic, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory in 2023 pointing to the healing power of social connection and community.

The early church knew the power of encouragement and community to sustain those facing tough times. They met together weekly, sharing their faith and providing for each other’s physical needs. As these believers faced persecution, Paul, Peter, and other disciples of Christ wrote letters reminding them who they followed, and that they were not alone in their suffering. These messages of correction, hope, and praise were so valued by these believers that they were protected and passed down, forming our New Testament.

I wonder what these believers would have thought about how we go about our daily lives today? We shop online, order groceries for pickup, and get dinner through an app—limiting conversations with others in stores and restaurants. We stream movies and download books, removing a trip to the local theater or library. We watch YouTube videos on crafts, cooking, fitness, and household repair, no longer needing to interact with instructors. While such modern conveniences streamline life, they also seem to be slowly eroding our sense of community, shrinking our social circles and magnifying our self-focus until we are no longer aware of the needs of those around us.

Though hundreds of years separate us from those early followers of Christ, we can look to their example today for inspiration in reaching out to the lonely and isolated in our midst. We can be ministers of encouragement, offering life-giving words of appreciation to remind people they are loved and valued by us and God. We can be intentional about face-to-face conversations with friends, family, and neighbors. Above all, we can share the eternal hope we have in Jesus our Savior, the light of the world who has overcome the darkness.