Confronting the Enemy of Loneliness by Being Still (Lent 7-2014)

Where are you? 

I’m in a place of lonely despair and I’m crying.

I’ve been kicked out of my home.  I’m feeling rejected and alone.

Countless Americans can relate to that every day. 

As I write, there are dozens of people I know who are facing this because of divorce, breakups, illness, abuse, etc.  They are almost always devastated, frequently scared, and painfully lonely.

That’s how Hagar was feeling after Abraham—with God’s permission—sent her away (Genesis 21:1-20).  How could God allow such a thing to happen?  God doesn’t need for me to defend Him, but sometimes God’s ways don’t make sense to us.

God has been known to remove what we’re relying upon, forcing us to stillness and dependence upon Him.  But it can get lonely. 

It may sound counterintuitive because it seems like it should be easier to be still when we’re alone, but being alone puts us on a battleground for confronting the enemy of loneliness.  Yes, there are fewer distractions when one is alone, but it’s also a vulnerable place.  Remember that the one thing God proclaimed as “not good” in Creation was Adam’s being alone. (Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”)

We were meant to be in relationship with others, in community.  Why?  Because we support one another and ultimately, being in relationship with others points us to the relationship we have with God.  When we are alone, the temptation is to focus on the loneliness instead of on the relationships we cannot see.  With God, are you ever truly alone?

Be Still.  Bring your fears to Me.

Be Still.  Rest in Me.  I will provide what you need.

Be Still and Know that I AM God.  I desire a relationship with you and for you never to feel alone.  I AM with you.

Be Still and Know that I AM God.  I have a plan and I have heard your cries.  I love you and will not leave you alone.  I will provide for you, yes, even in the wilderness.

Questions for reflection:

1. Read Genesis 21:1-20  What reasons might God have had for permitting Sarah to send Hagar away and telling Abraham to assent to it?
2. What relationships do you desire most?
3. What is your reaction to loneliness?  Be honest with yourself about any sins that have their roots in coping with loneliness.
4. What strategies can you take to respond to loneliness in God-fearing ways?