Don’t Settle For Isolation And Loneliness
2 Timothy 4:16-18
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul fought against persecution as he tried to share the gospel. Even his friends deserted him when he needed them the most. But, because of his strong relationship with the Lord, he was able to stand strong in adversity.
If we put our trust in people, we will eventually be let down. All of us are sinful, self-focused and hypocritical. If we try and find our identity or worth in others, it’s only a matter of time before disappointment and depression take hold. Having close friends is very important, but it’s crucial that we don’t put them on a pedestal and expect perfection. We are called to love people but trust God. That starts with intimacy with our Lord by sharing honestly about how we feel and not what we think God wants us to say.
We were created to be in relationship with God. When Adam and Eve sinned by choosing to be ones who decided what was right and wrong for their lives instead of trusting His leadership in their lives, they broke that relationship and God. The good news is God has provided a way for us to be restored to a lifegiving relationship with our lord and Savior for eternity.
Blaise Pascal put it this way. “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made know through Jesus Christ.”
Deuteronomy 31:6b
The Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
No relationship, experience, success, or drug is going to fill that God shaped vacuum in our hearts. God wants us to know him and experience his transforming presence so we can be whole no matter our situation.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?
