Alone: A Good Or Bad Thing

"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."  (Luke 5:15-16 KJV)

Is being alone a good or a bad thing? It can be either.

Scripture tells us that it is good that people should support one another. We should not be without fellowship. We should not isolate ourselves from others but live and serve the Lord and one another together.

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." (Eccl 4:9-10)

And then we have St. Paul telling us that it would be better not to marry so we can better serve the Lord. Yet, if we can not restrain ourselves then it is better to marry. 

"I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (1 Cor 7:8-9)

Paul may not have been devoted to a wife. Yet, he was not alone. He served the Lord in fellowship with other followers and above all God was with him.

So shall we live alone or must we, as so many people seem to think, live in some type of committed relationship with another? 

It is good to have someone to share life with. But, in search of that special person be very careful that you are not stepping into a lonely state of being even while you are not physically alone. The loneliness that is sometimes experienced even while you are with someone can be far worse than being alone. 

Despite what some people have conjured up in their minds and promoted, no where in scripture do we find that Jesus himself was in any type of committed relationship with any one individual other than his Father in heaven. For sure, he surrounded himself with people as he served them. He surrounded himself with those he was teaching. Those are good things. But, he would also often withdraw himself from the community in order to talk one on one with his Father, our Father in heaven. "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." (Luke 5:16)

Whether we commit to spend our lives with someone is entirely our choice. May that choice be one based on mutual love and a mutual desire to serve God and all whom God has created. 

It would; however, be very unwise to put any one person before the Lord your God. It is most beneficial to do as Jesus did and withdraw from others at least for short periods of time every day and spend time in prayer; in communication, with our Father in heaven. 

He will be there for you always and He will guide you in His ways. Seek His presence and spend intentional time with Him daily for He loves you as no other can.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Good Shepherd Be With You This Advent

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep."                                                                              (John 10:14-15 NRSV)

Today is the first day of Advent. The secular world (with the help of a lot of Christians) has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But; for many, it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts for their children, simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and more empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a very lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness; because that is what is expected, by the world around us.

Advent, is indeed a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for  you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all, their very life, for you?

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mourning For The Children

"Shave your head in mourning

    for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
    for they will go from you into exile." (Micah 1:16 NIV)

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, sounds an awful lot like Isaiah. He is a prophet; after all. Micah continues to warn the people of God that their ways are going to lead them into exile.

It is Advent and at the beginning of every Advent I see depression and other forms of mental illness begin to escalate. Part of that may be due to the lack of sunshine. Part of it; though, I believe is due to the holiday season which does not resemble Holy Days all that much.

As we prepare for Christmas there is a lot of frustration because people are seeking what the world seeks; rather, than seeking a relationship with the Christ, whom we celebrate. There is much financial stress as people feel pressured by society to "buy." There is also much emotional stress as many face a day (season) that is suppose to be cheerful (because the world says so) without a loved one that they have lost and miss grievously. They feel quite alone (exiled) as there is a chair at the table that is empty. There also tends to be a lot more "parties" in December and on into January. For some reason people think they can treat their loneliness and depression with alcohol (or other drugs). Alcohol, my friends, is a depressant. There is only one cure for loneliness and that, my friends is being in a healthy relationship; a relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ and with one another.

Advent is supposedly a time to prepare for the coming of the LORD. But, is that what we do? Or are we busy trying to keep up with the world; ending up depressed; feeling alone and exiled? For many, I am afraid it is the latter.

What are we teaching our children? Where are we leading them? Into loneliness? Depression? Exile from the relationship that God intends them to have with Him and His whole household?

I pray that it is not too late; that it is not past time, to join Micah in lamenting for our children. It is past time to start asking ourselves: What have we done? What have we left undone that would have brought them reconciliation and peace?

God's Peace - Pr. J