Before fuel prices skyrocketed and before my schedule was so full, one of my favorite hobbies was to go for a drive in my neighborhood. I would put on my favorite CD and drive in a direction I hadn’t explored yet, enjoying the scenery and getting lost. I didn’t have a smartphone, and I would leave my GPS off so that I could immerse myself in the moment. Sometimes I would find a nice little café to try, a park to walk around in, or just an interesting-looking street. When it was roughly time to head home, I would “wing it” and keep my eyes peeled for landmarks to reorient myself. Most of the time, this would go pretty well, but sometimes I would get it really wrong and have no idea where to go.
I loved the adventure and the rush I would feel when I recognized where I needed to go or saw something that reassured me that I was heading in the right direction. It could be something as simple as a strangely colored house (thank you to whoever decided to paint their home orange and pink), a statue, a tree, or a familiar shop. These small landmarks were enough to make a difference.
Nowadays, I don’t have the same free time and money to do something like this, but I still love to take the odd detour home if I have a bit of spare time in my day. I still feel that same small rush when I see the landmarks that help me find my way home again.
Each of us is on a drive through life, and we can feel lost and disoriented at times. With the constant onslaught of bad news and “unprecedented” events, changing culture, and evolving technology, it’s no wonder young people report “feeling lost, directionless or lacking in purpose.”1
To add fuel to the fire, people in the Western world are experiencing a loneliness epidemic. Loneliness and social isolation can have incredibly negative effects on health. The Medical Journal of Australia notes that “loneliness and social isolation have been linked to common chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, diabetes, dementia and depression. Loneliness and social isolation also increase the risk of premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively. Loneliness can adversely affect health through various pathways, such as direct influences on lifestyle, health behaviours, and health care utilisation. In addition, it can lead to heightened or excessive stress responses (reduced stress-buffering) and hinder physiological repair and maintenance processes (eg, insufficient sleep).”2
This loneliness epidemic is so prolific that the World Health Organization has launched a Commission on Social Connection, which “aims to see the issue recognised and resourced as a global public health priority.”3
So, while people feel lost in the crazy world we live in, many also feel isolated, as though they have no one to turn to who can help them get back on track. Fortunately, there is good news for all who struggle with life and loneliness.
This good news has to do with landmarks. In the same way that I would look for landmarks when I was lost on my drives, I have a weekly landmark in my week that reorients me. It’s a priority that assures me I’m going in the right direction and also redirects me when I head in the wrong direction. This centering place is my church community. It is my weekly landmark of orientation.
How does this work as a weekly orientation?
stories told
At church we study the Bible. Its stories shed light on humanity’s origins and our place in the world. It tells the stories of people in history who overcame great difficulties with God’s help, as well as those who achieved incredible things with God working through them. Gathering and reciting these stories through sermons, readings, and songs helps me go deeper with my purpose and direction. Even though I know the stories well, I never tire of hearing that I’m created with love and for a purpose (Ephesians 2:10) or that I have a Savior who gave everything for me (John 3:16). The greatest reminder for me is the story that one day Jesus will return and make all things new (Revelation 21; 22). I continue to be inspired and filled with hope, but I also feel more secure in my identity and purpose.
teaching shared
In addition to the stories, I am also reminded that Jesus has a way of life that He calls His followers to. Since Jesus saved me, I really want to know more about Him, the kind of life He lived, and the life He calls others to live. In Matthew 5–7 Jesus lays out a lot of this. He calls His followers not to let anger rule their lives (Matthew 5:21–26), to be faithful in their marriage (verses 27–32), to love everyone—including their enemies (verses 43–48)—and so much more. When we gather around a common framework for living, it gives us more than direction; it gives us the tools to get there.
people present
The church has never been about a building or a program. It’s about people. While buildings and programs provide a platform for people to gather, it’s the people who make the church. When I see people on a weekly basis who are striving for the same kind of life I am, it creates relationships of accountability and trust. It also provides a community where we can practice Jesus’ teachings. For example, Jesus teaches us to love and serve the poor (Matthew 25:40), and in this community, I can find people of all walks of life whom I can serve. As a community, we also get opportunities to serve others together through a service trip, a community program, or even just helping our neighbors.
Church is also a community where people practice unconditional love for one another—they model what it looks like to love, even when it’s hard. They don’t always get it right, but they keep showing up and trying.
It’s nice to be flexible, especially on the weekends, but something special has happened in my life and in the lives of others. We have chosen to commit to a church community. I have learned more about myself, Jesus, and the world through these gatherings. It has become my weekly landmark to reorient me in the bewildering journey of life. My prayer is that you will find a church that follows God’s Word, freely offering the love and support you long for.
Josh Stothers is a musician, podcaster, and pastor. He lives and ministers in Sydney, Australia.
