NEITHER ALONE NOR LONELY

Friday: 18th October, 2019

2 Timothy 4:16,17a At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;

There are moments in our lives when two statement may come to mind: ‘I am alone’ or ‘I am lonely’. While it seems perfectly normal for us to attribute the ‘absence of people’ with these two terms, a bold claim which is presented is the fact that:

‘the Christian is never alone nor can they be lonely’

Pause a moment to reflect on this.

The basis of this claim is this: ‘if being alone or lonely is’ the absence of other people or company’, then the state of ‘being alone’ is inapplicable to the Christian because of the truth that God is an ever present help. When Paul stood trial, he wasn’t alone because God was with him. Thus, although we may ignore God and pretend He isn’t present, the fact is HE ALWAYS IS. So the believer always has company.

However, we can look at ‘loneliness’ in isolation as a deeper concept and relate it to the ‘absence of purpose’: another statement which although requires some reflection on, is also inapplicable to the Christian. From the very moment we believe, even from the moment of our conception, we are known, named and tasked. We are given purposes and assignments to fulfil on earth.

Therefore, the Christian cannot claim to be alone or lonely for they always have company and even though probably not yet entirely discovered, a purpose is always given. And where purpose is evident, people always come along. I don’t know what your mind is telling you now because of your current situation but I pray you catch this revelation: ‘You are not alone and you are not lonely’

#sly