“But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with Me.” (John 16:32 NLT)
Recently my wife and I watched a TV series called “Alone” which chronicles the lives of 10 individuals left alone somewhere in the world where living conditions would be impossible for the average person to survive. In a recent season contestants were dropped miles above the Arctic Circle where temperatures plunge to 40 below zero with limited hours of daylight, heavy snow and dangerous wildlife. Why would anyone expose themselves to those kinds of conditions? The winner takes home $500,000.
Each one of the ten contestants was well trained, prepared for the weather and surroundings, but, ironically, what most of them couldn’t stand was being alone. Thinking the money would be enough incentive to sustain them they quickly learned that the least setback caused them to think of those they left behind, their families, whom they desperately missed. It’s no surprise to me, that the two men who lasted the longest were regularly thanking God for their sustenance, protection, and provision.
It’s not uncommon in Scripture to see Jesus alone, but, as He notes in the verse above, He was in fact never alone but always accompanied by His heavenly Father.
Loneliness is epidemic in our world today which can give rise to grief, guilt, shame, and a myriad of other emotions that can often be camouflaged in a crowd but quickly rise to the surface when we’re by ourselves. Yet, for others being alone means rest, relaxation, enjoyment, a taste of heaven.
The key difference is what Jesus knew and sought to teach His disciples – spend time alone with the Father! In Matthew 6:6 Jesus said: “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” There is an intimacy with the Lord that cannot be discovered in the noise and activity of the world. Is it any wonder the spiritual “giants” of the Christian Faith have been men and women devoted to prayer? To be alone without God is hell, but to be alone with Him is a slice of heaven.
It’s no accident the Lord told Moses in Exodus 34:2: “Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to Me on the top of the mountain. No one else may come with you. In fact, no one is to appear anywhere on the mountain. Do not even let the flocks or herds graze near the mountain.” When God has something to say to us, it’s best we’re not distracted even by the sounds of the animals. He desires and deserves our full attention.
Might there be more spiritual “giants” in our world if we would purpose in their heart to rise earlier and linger longer with the Father? The Lord speaks most clearly in the quietness when our minds are freshest. We owe it to the Lord to give Him the time of day when we’re at our best, not our worst; when we’re freshest, not giving Him our leftover energy and attention. He gave us His best in the Person of His only Son to live as an example for us and to die in our place.
And when the Lord ascended back to the Father, He left us His best in the Person of His Holy Spirit who indwells and enables us to hear His voice, obey His directives, and find strength in His presence. Here’s the bottom line: the only reason we don’t spend quality time with the Lord is because we choose not to! Life will offer us times of aloneness, whether or not we choose them, but it’s our choice and responsibility to choose to spend quality time (not leftover time) with the Lord. The richest dividends are paid to those who pay the highest price to spend time with Jesus. Are you willing to pay that price?
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 