One of the things I have mentioned in a previous blog is my enjoyment in going on walks with my wife. Just the two of us alone without distraction. A time of focus. Just us. One to one. Together with nothing else getting in the way.
Before I met my wife, I was fairly certain that I would never get married. I was in my mid-30's with no prospects and really at that point had no interest in playing the dating game. My other friends were either married or in serious relationships. So, hanging out with my friends was just a reminder of my situation. But, I was mostly OK with that situation. Yes, I thought about why I hadn't found the right person. It could be depressing at times, but figured it was part of a bigger plan. That God was laying the groundwork for preparing me of living the single life the rest of my days. Could I handle spending my life alone?
Alone? What thoughts does that word conjure up? Are they good thoughts or bad thoughts? Some people may prefer to be alone or spend time by themselves. While others may be terrified at the thought of being alone. Do we equate being alone with being unloved and friendless?
I believe every person wants to feel loved and appreciated in some sort of way. A lonely existence seems particularly sad. Others can pursue bad relationships for fear of being alone. I think it's instinctual to want to be around others and have a feeling of belonging in some way. People want to matter in some way.
When we are alone, it is easier to become fearful thinking about our future. It is easier to give in to temptation when we feel alone. We can more rationalize that life is meaningless or the world is against us. That it is us against the world and that no one cares about our wants and needs. Life is tough when you feel meaningless and uncared for.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" Isaiah 41:10
It says in Isaiah 41:10 how God is always with us and comforts us in our alone times. The things that happen when we feel alone - feeling weak, fearful, dismayed, and low are discussed here. The Lord encourages us to remember His presence and because of that our fear can wash away and the weakness vanishes.
This comes as a great comfort to me as I am sure it can be to others. Even when you are in community, you can still feel adrift and alone. That's not a place you want to be. But, God encourages and keeps you from being alone. Sometimes (maybe lots of times) it can be hard for us to see. We can turn our thoughts inward and focus on ourselves and miss out on God walking with us. So focused on ourselves that we fail to see Him with us. It's like when you are in deep thought and you can be walking and you don't see the people around you. Maybe, you'll see bodies - moving around you, but you don't really see them. In the same way, we do that with God. He's there but we are not looking at Him.
I remember back to my college days when I would walk around campus. If I wasn't with someone, I would be busy in prayer while walking. Yes, you can pray with your eyes open. It was very comforting to talk about your problems or blow off steam if you wanted to. More productive than wallowing in anger, bitterness, fear, or sadness. Instead of focusing on myself, it was better to pray and listen. Sometimes, I wouldn't talk but just listen and observe.
For those who may not believe like I do. You might think because you don't physically see Him that He doesn't exist. That I am just talking to air. Well, I wasn't talking out loud. You are entitled to your opinion. But, isn't it more productive not to dwell on sadness and anger which eats you from the inside out and hurts you physically, emotionally, and psychologically? Also, you never know - He might answer you back in a way that blows up your preconceived notions. It never hurts to at least try.
When I go for walks with my wife, there are no distractions. We are focused on what each other is saying or doing. There is nothing else that occupies our attention. We discuss whatever is on our minds, whether it be serious or silly. It is also a way to work together on any situation which presents itself. It's also exercise - which my wife tricks me into. We learn from each other and support each other.
The same way in our walk with God, In our alone times with Him. When we are focused on Him, our relationship with Him becomes stronger. The distractions in our lives seem easier to handle and our fears subside. There is comfort in knowing that we never truly walk alone.
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