Thought for Thursday, August 23rd

August 23, 2012

Are You Lonely Tonight

It is within the realm of the possible to be in a crowded room and still feel like you are all alone.

Sometimes this can be because you don’t fit in with the group you are with: or sometimes it is because the cares and concerns of life have so overwhelmed you that you become isolated and withdrawn.  As Christians we need to remember that we are never alone.  God’s presence in the person of the Holy Spirit is with us always, everywhere we go.  Sadly often we don’t acknowledge His presence and we allow ourselves to feel isolated when He is just waiting for us to reach out to Him.

But I think even, Jesus must have had times when He felt somewhat isolated and lonely. His disciples didn’t grasp His message, He was facing the fulfillment of His father’s plan for Him and that would lead Him to an even greater separation.  But Jesus found strength in living to die to fulfill His Father’s will and to be the lamb sacrifice for each of us whom He and His Father loved so much.

“Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.”

-       Dag Hammarskjold

Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.   If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.   Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.

John 15:9-14

Paul wrote for me to live is Christ but for me to die is gain.  May we find the reason to live for our lives is to glorify the Lord, even if at times we might feel somewhat isolated and lonely during the process: we can be assured we are never alone.

Today’s Prayer 

Father, regardless of whether any others stand with; join me on my journey or even understand my purpose, may I live like I am dying for you in such a way that makes every day the absolute most it can be for you.

“Give me your eyes

For just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I’ve been missing

Give me your love for humanity.

Give me your arms for the brokenhearted

Ones that are far beyond my reach

Give me your heart for the ones forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see“

-  Lyrics from ‘Give Me Your Eyes’ by Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram