Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Lonely?

In a home with 15 people, one would wonder how anyone could ever feel lonely. So, what am I talking about?

Our family is different than many other families, and I honestly am grateful that we are. Our home is full of noise, though often people that visit comment on how quiet it is because I think the expectation is that there would be chaos and noise all the time. On the contrary, often times children go off on their own to find a quiet place outside or on their bed to enjoy a new book from the library. Some of them may take a walk down to the front pastures and brush their horses. A couple boys may head into the woods to go fishing together while still a couple others are playing Uno or Go Fish. Of course, there is the crazy loud games of soccer we play as a family, or Hide-n-Seek in the house as a family that can get kind of noisy too. Nevertheless, there are always so many options for people to play with, so why this blog post about loneliness?

Well, sometimes, it can feel lonely because when we look around at the "rest of the world" it seems like we are alone. Most of the people we know are living out their lives in completely different ways which can sometimes make us feel like we are alone. Sadly, I must admit, I have even questioned some of our convictions and the choices we make as a family because they are so different than what so many others are doing (even many who also claim to be following Christ).

However, the Lord tells us in Romans 12:2 "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." 

Now, I am not saying if you aren't doing things the way we are doing it, that you are wrong. That is not what I am saying at all, and obviously that judgment is not mine to make. I know that God uses all different people in all different ways, and the path that He plans out for one person may be completely different than the one we are on. But, Scripture says, "Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:6

We are trying to focus on God's word, understand it and meditate on it. We are praying daily for wisdom and for the Lord to show us His desire for our lives. We want to follow His guidelines and live a life pleasing to him. Of course we fail daily, fall short, and make mistakes because we are all sinners in need of a Savior, but sanctification is a process in which we should be growing in our faith and becoming more Christ-like each and every day, and we desire that there would be more of Him and less of ourselves with each and every day.  The Lord tells us "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." Proverbs 8:17. So, we desire to seek him diligently.

I am writing this as an encouragement to anyone who ever feels alone on their path. Anyone that feels like because of their commitments and convictions to the Lord they are different than the world, but that difference is okay. That difference is good, and I assure you, you are not alone.

 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." Matthew 7:12-14

If we are on the same road is everyone else, if every aspect of our life looks pretty much like everyone else we know, perhaps then we are on the wrong road.

Dear Gracious and Merciful Lord, I thank You for Your loving kindness. I pray that you will draw us closer to you with each passing day, that You would increase, and we would decrease. Give us an insatiable desire for Your word and to know you better. Give us the desires of Your heart, and help us to grow in faith and in love. Make clear the path you want us to take, and give us the courage to remain steadfast on the course despite opposition, judgement, and ridicule from others. Comfort us with Your loving embrace when we begin to feel isolated, let us feel Your presence to remind us that we are not alone, but that You are always with us. It is through the precious name of Jesus that I pray.-Amen.