Overcoming isolation from God
Isolation.
The word conjures up some ugly pictures. Prisoners put in isolation because of bad behavior. The ill put in isolation wards because of their illness and the risk to others.
No, isolation is not a happy word. We were born to be around people, to be a community. To be separated from that community can be painful and lead to depression and anxiety.
But isolation from God? Nothing could be more painful, more gut-wrenching, than to feel that you are not connected to the Lord. But it is at these times that we can reach out to God and realize that we can’t be isolated from Him if we seek Him. He never leaves us, we isolate ourselves from Him!
From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.
Psalm 130:1
The psalmist cried out to God at his lowest point, and God answered. When we feel lonely, sad, hopeless, He is there to befriend us, cheer us, and give us life.
But what about isolation from God that occurs due to sin? We feel ashamed to enter His presence, but this is when He has His arms open to receive us. He does not abandon us! Our sin may cut us off from God, but He stands ready to forgive us when we repent of our sins. To restore our relationship with God we must simply confess our sin to Him, obey Him, and remain in fellowship with Him.
Finally, we must all do our best to avoid spiritual isolation. We are a community of faith, bound by one God and one Savior. We must seek each other out by whatever means necessary, to join in fellowship of spirit. We cannot isolate ourselves from others of faith! That defeats the purpose of God’s community.
For me, the internet is a wonderful thing. I can fellowship with other Christians right here in front of my computer. For some Christians, that may be the only way that they can fellowship. Some of us have the ability to go to church weekly and fellowship, to meet in small groups. Others can’t, whether due to health or other reasons. But God will provide a means if we will only listen to Him, obey Him. He will plant other Christians in our path, whether they are next door or a continent away.
God doesn’t want us to be isolated from Him or other Christians. Reach out. He is there.
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