Seasons of Loneliness & Isolation
I was thinking about the seasons of loneliness in my life. There was a time that God separated me from almost all of my friends as He took me into isolation. In the natural this starts out as a very difficult thing to experience. You feel rejected and invisible as others go on with their lives seeming to forget you exist. Then there are those that would like to hang out with you, but you know you need to pull back from them. God doesn't do this because you are forgotten or insignificant. The truth is, as He's calling us up higher and preparing us for our divine destiny, He begins a molding process that can be tainted by outside influences. He brings us into isolation so that our primary focus becomes HIM!
From what I've witnessed in my life, the greater the call the longer this season lasts. My son, who as most of you know is my pastor, had a lifetime of loneliness, rejection and isolation, yet we always knew he had a powerful calling upon His life. I was thinking about the men in the Bible, Samuel was separated from His family for the Lord's service at birth. Moses, as he began to feel the calling of God on His life to deliver His people, had to leave them for a season as God prepared Him for His calling. Joseph had incredible dreams, yet he was sold into slavery and God molded Him into the humble leader He called Him to be. The list goes on and on...Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel were captured and exiled from their country as God drew them closer to Him and His plan for their lives. David experienced it as he hid from Saul in a cave and don't you think Noah lost his friends as he built an ark?
Whether your life has always been lonely and isolated or you are currently experiencing this, use your "alone" time to build your relationship with Jesus and experience the depths of His love. You are not separated from others because there's something wrong with you, but it's because He desires to separate you unto Himself! He loves you and you are not forgotten or second best! Repent and realize He has not turned His back on you. He's waiting with open arms and desires to take you into realms of His presence you never knew existed and wash you with waves of His glory and love! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! By the way, when God brought those I mentioned out of isolation, they gained great popularity and He could trust them with that because their flesh had been crucified and they became humble in His presence. They had NO doubt that they could not have accomplished anything in their own strength!!
Deuteronomy 14:2 (NLT) You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and He has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be His own special treasure.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Psalm 4:3 (NLT) You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for Himself. The Lord will answer when I call to Him.
Psalm 73:23-26 (NKJV) Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
2 Timothy 4:16-18 (MSG) At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn’t matter—the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
