A few years back, I watched a TV series titled, “Alone.” The concept was to allow a participant to choose a handful of specific items to fill a backpack for survival on a deserted island all alone. Ten participants were placed in separate places. The one who survived the longest and did not “tap out” won $500,000.
I used to watch the show and wonder what it would be like to try that. There are days when I feel like we are living that type of reality TV series right now.
I have a weird personality (I know I know, not a shock to anyone). I love to be around people, but in order for me to recharge I need to be in a cave. It needs to be a quiet place, no thinking, where I can just relax and get refreshed. I happen to know some extreme introverts who wouldn’t mind being left on that deserted island for years. But now, some of these same people are admitting they are starting to miss people.
There are a couple things I have learned during this crazy time of isolation.
One, is that I had really missed our family time together. Playing games, eating together and just laughing together. Many times we take things for granted until “God wakes us up” so to speak. He has done that to me.
Another thing I have learned is that, as great as technology is and has helped us during these times, it does not replace actual face to face ministry. Man do I miss seeing the kids in my youth group - messing with them, laughing with them, challenging them, teaching them and just listening to them. Yes, you can do some of that online and on the phone, but I believe God has created us for relationships that are face to face.
In 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 not created to be isolated forever. That is why it is so hard for some people to stay locked up at home for months on end.
I pray that as we start to return to our normal way of life again (whenever that is) that we will not take for granted the friends we have and the face to face interaction that God has said we all need.
The great thing to understand is that even in those times when we may feel all alone, God has never left us.
Here are some great verses to encourage us today:
Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"