Feeling Alone?

Jean-Paul Sartre encouraged people to trust in themselves. Born in France on this day in 1905, he once wrote that “man can will nothing unless he has first understood that he must count on no one but himself.”

Looking at life, Sartre concluded that we are “alone.” That there is no God and all of us are “abandoned on earth.” That there is no one we can call on for Him. Instead, he urged people to trust themselves. That there can be “no other destiny” than the one we forge for ourselves.

Not surprisingly, Sartre strongly opposed Christianity, while becoming one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. He advocated Existentialism, celebrating what he thought were individual freedoms.

As we think about Sartre, we can be reminded of the words of David, that only a fool can declare that there is no God (Psalm 14:1-3). But we also should realize that millions of people have reached conclusions similar to those of Sartre.

They find it impossible to believe that God is real, or that Jesus really rose from the dead. They have concluded that Christianity offers a false hope. They find it impossible to believe the Bible, or pray. They want freedom but refuse the freedom that God promises (John 8:36). Yet they feel alone.

Do you agree with Sartre? Do you feel alone? Abandoned? Do you really trust in God, or are you secretly just counting on yourself? Do you really feel that He cares for you, and answers prayer?

Today, renew your faith in God. Don’t give in to skepticism. If you have doubts, talk with Him. Fellowship with Him. Dare to believe. Dare to trust Him!