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4/25/2019
I know for me personally that I sometimes feel lonely. I’ve noticed this a bit more often since being a stay at home momma for the past 7 years. Yes, I’m not really alone during the day … I have my kiddos, and more importantly Jesus and the ever present Holy Spirit. Yet, I have to be honest that I still struggle with this from time to time. I’m betting I’m not the only one either.
Here’s what we need to remember: despite the feeling, the truth is we are never, ever alone if we belong to Jesus. That is the first solution to loneliness: a relationship with Jesus Christ. But there’s more to it than that. For believers we need to have a changed mind about “loneliness” and replace the negative connotation with a positive call to action. I’m talking about exchanging loneliness for holiness.
Let me be clear, I am NOT saying that we should stay holed up in our houses like hermits or purposefully keep to ourselves to be Holy: the Word is clear about our need for gathering together, especially where our faith is concerned (Hebrews 10:25). However, I’ve realized that moments of uncontrolled solitude from friends, family, adults in general etc. can be the best opportunities for holiness ….if we allow them to be.
We’ve already established that for a follower of Jesus, being alone is simply “being alone with Jesus” because he is omnipresent and never leaves us or forsakes us. So, if you’re like me and find yourself in a season of an abundant amount of “alone with Jesus” time, lets make sure to be present with Him too. Sure we might know He’s always with us, but are we facing Him, ready to interact? … or is our back turned away from Him as if He were an afterthought?
I think about Jesus during his ministry on earth and how He is often depicted spending His alone time in communication with His father. We see just how much Jesus valued and prioritized these moments by the way he escaped the crowds to facilitate them. Even in the garden before His death, when everyone else was sleeping, he leaned on the everlasting arms of His father in prayer.
Perhaps having lots of alone time is not a negative thing, but a positive thing?
I think also about David as a shepherd boy out in the field – very much alone, but very much present with God. I think David’s season of solitude played an integral part in preparing him for the future and all the mighty ways God would use him. David not only crafted his songwriting, but also practiced praising God with his harp. He learned how to worship to an audience of one because that was his reality. He also learned how to do battle alone with the Lord, even killing a lion and a bear. I think these moments came in handy when he eventually faced Goliath don’t you?
Looking back over my own life I can see how the Lord has grown me in the sometimes solitude of motherhood. It has stretched me and humbled me and exhausted me, but I am grateful for those moments when I’ve remembered to turn around and face Jesus – to draw near to Him and learn what it means to be fully satisfied and content in Him alone. Is it always easy surrendering to aloneness with God? No. But it’s worth prioritizing – and it’s less lonely too.
So how bout it? Let’s exchange loneliness for holiness and become more like Jesus, grateful for our seasons of solitude with God. Let’s embrace all the wonderful preparation of things to come – serving Him to the best of our ability,
for His Glory,
Katy
Apr 26, 2019
Apr 26, 2019
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