Signs of the Times

Carl W. McGeehon

The Link

Chaplain, Lt. Col., Carl W. McGeehon
Assistant Command Chaplain
Headquarters PACAF
in The Link, a Protestant magazine
for Armed Forces personnel
Washington, District of Columbia

The USO has used a TV commercial showing a lonely serviceman in some far-off corner of the world. In his lonely depression he asks, "Does anybody know I'm here?" The implication is that his sacrifice and isolation would be worthwhile if he could be sure anyone cared.

The feeling of loneliness is one of life's universal experiences. Few of us escape this sense of restless longing. Basically, it operates on two levels—the human and the spiritual.

Loneliness has a dimension which can be cured only by human friendship.... Concern for other people is one of the most healthy antitoxins to loneliness.

When loneliness has its source in experiences of grief, heartbreak, or adversity, something more profound is needed.... In his most serious moments, man senses his solitariness in the universe. He questions the meaning of life. Questions such as whence came we? whither are we going? and what is our purpose here? find no glib or easy answer....

The existence of God is not debated widely these days. Nearly everyone agrees that there must have been a Creative Power, a Great Mind, or Intelligence behind the universe.... Whenever we talk about the meaning of life, we must first deal with the nature of the God who is the source, support, and end of life....

Jesus gave what, in his time, was a revolutionary answer to the question, "What is God like?" ... He said something new about God —something that found a thrilling and profound response in the hearts of his listeners. What he said was truly good news about God. about man, and about life. Here was an idea that men recognized ought to be true, and an idea that would put life in a new perspective if it were true....

Simply stated, it is this: God loves us. Scripture reiterates, "God is love"; ... "See what love the Father has given us. that we should be called children of God; and so we are" [Rev. Stand. Ver.]....

Loneliness, when it has a spiritual dimension, finds fellowship only in relation to God.

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