Solitude and The One Thing

****Full moon and campfire last evening***

Life is quiet these days as we are called to stay apart to lower the rise of illness.

It gives us all a chance to spend quality time within the family and draw closer to the Lord in prayer.

When we are denied human companionship we can find great joy in divine fellowship.

We come in to the best things of God when we learn to walk alone with Him.

Times of isolation help us develop an independent faith and life. 

This is a good thing to learn because sooner or later we will face seasons of walking apart with the Lord.

Right now isolation occurs from the virus. We are under restriction from the state.

Other life experiences can bring times of solitude and isolation. Most people don't chose isolation, it comes about from many different experiences.

As believers we often find it necessary to opt out of gatherings for one reason or another. It can feel lonely.

People who chose to live on a narrow path and refuse compromise may not find many gatherings they are comfortable joining.

John 16:32 shows us where we can turn to find continual fellowship...."I am not alone, because the Father is with me."

Living ones convictions may be a costly sacrifice today. It often makes separations necessary leaving a person with a sense of loneliness.

This is a good experience. It causes us to cultivate our relationship with our Savior.

Silence and solitude allow us

to hear His Voice,

a Voice that is easily 

drowned out by noise and the 

distraction of daily business.

God does not shout.

He speaks through the Holy Spirit

and His Word in the quietness of

a listening and settled heart.

Our ability to hear

depends upon our willingness

to seek solitude and silence

and to listen for His quiet Voice.

In this quiet place our life

is renewed and peace fills 

the heart and mind.

The fruit of time spent 

alone with Jesus 

will be manifest in 

an orderly and peaceful life.

I like the story of Mary and Martha.

As Martha hurried to prepare 

a meal for the Lord, Mary

sat at the Lord's feet to 

hear His Voice.

Martha was upset because

it made no sense to sit when

so much needed to be accomplished.

Jesus corrected Martha;

"Martha, Martha," He said,

"You are worried and upset 

about many things, but few

things are needed-

indeed only one.

Mary has chosen the good part,

which will not be taken away

from her."

Luke 10:41

Mary had chosen to sit

under the instruction of Jesus.

She took time out of a busy

situation to sit at His feet and

hear what was on His heart.

That was more important to her...

and to Jesus....

than preparing a meal

which would only be a

momentary pleasure.

His words would fill her

heart and nourish her soul

long after the meal was forgotten.

I like those words...

One Thing...

Jesus is telling us that the

one thing that is needed....

 to hear His Voice

and

 take time to be close to Him.

Yes...we all have work to do

and we enjoy being with like minded

people who edify our walk with Jesus,

but, ultimately we receive our life

and hope and need from His hand alone.

Jesus is Everything.

Everything.

Apart from Him we have no life.

He's the Vine.

The life of each branch

comes through Him.

We may find some encouragement

from people we love and some 

degree of fellowship,

but our life is found in Him.

People can't give us hope 

or peace or joy.

Their comfort is limited.

As true believers we have each

experienced moments when

our strength was not our own

and we overcame only by His power.

This is just my opinion,

but, I think this time of 

lockdown and crisis is

a God given opportunity to

 be alone with Jesus 

and to learn to draw strength

from being in His presence

before more difficult times

come into our lives.

Many people are prepping

food and other supplies.

This is a wise thing.

I just think preparing

our hearts to be quietly content

and at peace with the Lord

is the One Thing

that is going to be essential

in the near future.

May His peace and presence

be your life and joy today.

♥️

My Nana's favorite hymn....