Are you lonely? Open up your heart to Jesus

As if there weren't enough to worry about these days, I recently read the Surgeon General's findings that loneliness and isolation increases the risk of premature death up to 30 percent.

Social media, technology and the lingering effects of COVID all contribute to this growing sense of unease. Our acrimonious politics is unsettling. Sometimes, I just want to play turtle, but it's lonely inside my shell.

The good news is that Christ's atoning death on the cross, followed by his burial and resurrection, opens the way to direct access to God when we put our trust in Him. That's what we celebrate at Easter!

In Luke 19:10, Jesus says he came “to seek and save the lost,” the lost being all those separated from God. God longs for that connection with every one of us.

But not only that, God places us in his family, in groups of other believers. (Psalm 68:6) Jesus unites us across racial, social, political lines. (Galatians 3:28) Jesus' death on the cross demonstrates how much God loves you, how much he desires a relationship with you! Jesus paid the price for our sins, so that we could be restored to a relationship with God.

After living in the San

Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years, my family pulled up roots and moved to Humboldt County about a year ago. It was tough leaving so many friends behind, but when I got connected in a new church community, it was like stepping out of one family into another.

I treasure how the shared love of Jesus unites people of such divergent backgrounds and cultures. We join together on Sundays to honor Christ and learn how to be more like him. And we share life with one another during the week.

The antidote to loneliness is to open up your heart to Jesus. And then get plugged in with oth-* ers seeking to follow and imitate him. If you have doubts and questions about Jesus, don't hold back. Find a Christian friend or church that is comfortable with questions.

I invite you to check out a local Christian church this Easter. And I challenge you to keep going back. Step out of your comfort zone and get connected with others.

You'll be surprised at how it enriches your life. I'm cheering for you to take this important step! Happy Easter!