I'm Just a Guy: Who Feels Aloneنموونە

From Isolation to Mission

One of the greatest weapons against loneliness I’ve found is simple: serve others.

At The Lion Within Us, we’ve had the privilege of coordinating several mission trips—and each one has been life-changing. The very first was in response to Hurricane Helene, and what I witnessed there broke my heart. I vividly remember driving to the camp where we would be staying, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation as we ventured into uncharted territory.

But something shifted on that trip. When I gave myself fully to serving others, the internal focus that normally governed my decisions faded into the background. I was swept up into a mission far greater than myself. And the people we helped? They radiated love and gratitude for even the smallest support. That kind of joy in the midst of devastation is humbling.

One of the most sobering moments came when we arrived at a site that we were told needed help. But when we got there, we found nothing left—just wreckage. Entire homes were leveled. All that could be done was to clear debris and prepare for rebuilding. I had brought chainsaws, hoping to put them to good use, but they were useless in a place so completely destroyed.

Leaving that neighborhood gave me more than a perspective on the storm’s impact. It shook me into a deeper awareness of life’s fragility. Too often, my loneliness morphs into a self-righteous pity party. But standing in the rubble of someone else’s loss recalibrated my spiritual eyes and reminded me of what truly matters.

What struck me was this: under different circumstances—if this were a business setting—others would be paid to perform these kinds of services. Yet in this situation, there was no money involved, no financial incentive. You might expect that to lead to resentment, to thoughts like, I should be getting paid for this.

But the response was actually the complete opposite.

It felt good to serve—because these are my people, my state, my country. There’s a deep sense of moral responsibility here. It’s not transactional; it’s relational. I believe they would do the same for me. And as Romans 12:5 reminds us, in Christ, we belong to one another. We’re many, but we form one body—and when one part moves in love, the whole body benefits.

Here’s the encouragement: don’t wait for a disaster to begin serving. You can start right where you are. There are needs all around us every single day. The key is to turn down the internal volume and shift your focus outward.

God doesn’t just call you out of loneliness—He calls you into mission. You were made to belong, to contribute, to love. So don’t wait to be invited. Step in, give what you wish someone had given you, and break free from the loneliness that so often entangles us. Lean into becoming the man God intends you to be.

Reflection Questions:

1. How would focusing outward shift your perspective on loneliness?
2. Where is God calling you to bring hope and connection today?

Thank You!

If you find yourself still walking through a season of loneliness, I encourage you to visit the link below. You'll discover a meaningful way to connect—and it would be an honor to walk alongside you and support you in this season. I truly hope this plan has encouraged your heart. https://thelionwithin.us/i-am-just-a-guy.