Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
3/9/2021
God knows about loneliness
I was talking with a very dear friend of mine this weekend and we discussed how he saw his life had transitioned into one of isolation.
I believe we are a church of relationships and I believe that our passions are fueled in the commonality of cause by spreading the gospel and ministering to people where they live.
Some people have their bowling groups, knitting groups, motorcycle groups, pinochle groups but as Christians, we have this deep-seated investment in other people with the passion of Christ being the banner over all of us. Solomon 2:4
I think in the isolation of covid, we find ourselves, without that support, many people find themselves caught on an isolated island. With that comes the uncomfortableness, the loneliness, and even the anger of not really knowing what to do. The conversation got me thinking a little deeper about what has happened to our church relationships during the awful pandemic and what the answer is now.
I believe one of the great treasures of the church is its people, their relationships, their fervor to put others before themselves, and in so doing becoming these pillars of faith that we build our church on.
The truth of a risen Lord is heralded in every selfless act. They are part of the joy in serving Christ himself. The blood family that is part of our living existence to serve and spread the good news of a new Jerusalem. It says, he suffered for the joy that was set before him. Heb 12:2
I believe he walked in joy every day as he taught the people that the Messiah had come! The joy of pouring his heart and life into his disciples and imparting into them the gifts to build his kingdom here and now in the center of darkness itself. It’s the model for small groups today. It is the model of family.
I thought of displaced couples and families not able to attend church or small groups who lost the anchor of these others who they had linked arms and hearts with for the gospel and asked what was the root of it.
I feel that in the loneliness of silence and isolation also comes God’s lessons for tomorrow.
Jesus left so many times to isolate himself to talk with the father. He was not dismayed, he didn’t struggle with the silence, he came back enlightened and refreshed and purposed for another day. We can learn the same thing through his examples.
Wait upon the Lord, come to me all you who are burdened and heavily ladened with loneliness and worry for the days ahead and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28
He will help us supernaturally to tune into the very frequency of God’s direction for us. He will impart the purpose for the aloneness beyond the discomfort of being alone. He wants to encourage that portion of our lives so he can teach us, mend us, draw closer to us and send us on the special mission of the day to touch another soul for Christ. What can we hear if we are not quiet? How can we know peace in the loudness of sin? Except through his mercy and grace and the words he gives us in the potter’s house, we cannot know. We cannot kneel, let alone stand for righteousness's sake.
It is in the aloneness of our lives that we lose ourselves and find God. (Less of me and more of him John 3:30). It is here that we lay down what we once thought was so critically important and pick up the light of the word. The very peace and direction of God himself.
Remember God cares for you. He knows about loneliness. Jesus experienced the greatest loneliness of all when the Father forsook Him on the cross.
Don’t be afraid of the aloneness for God is in everything. He’s just waiting to be alone with you. Press into your quiet time with God. Do not run from the uncomfortable silence of the season. Ask and he will give you your anchor, your direction, and a renewed purpose for serving. In it, you will find anew the Joy of your Salvation. He will renew a right spirit in you. Ps 51:10 Hallelujah.
Will you not stop and pray with us and your family for one hour this week?
He listens!
CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART AND RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN ME – KEITH GREEN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqB2H9vCPKA
