Personal Reflection: You may FEEL alone, You are NOT alone, You were NEVER alone - Part 3
Running🏃 + Prayer 🙏 + Music 🎧 = Intimacy With God
Tell me if this pattern sounds familiar? We feel alone. We go before God, and He gently reminds us that we are not alone and that we were never actually alone. But then life happens, and new challenges rise up, and the cycle of loneliness starts all over. How do we break the cycle of loneliness? I would submit to you that the answer lies "In The Waiting." Before we dig into the two things that God is doing on our behalf In The Waiting, let's look back at the first two parts of this devotional series for some additional context.
In part one of this devotional series, we looked at two simple steps we can all take towards opening up about the moments of loneliness we all experience. Start the healing process by telling God how you feel and then open up to a close friend.
Part two of this devotional series reminded us that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus IS the hope that we can cling to in this life and the next. And because Jesus has taken up permanent residency in our hearts, we are NOT alone.
You Were Never Alone
The third song that the Lord used to speak to me on the topic of loneliness is such a powerful reminder of how close God really is. He really IS for us! I love how the line "He is for you" is repeated six times in the lyrics below. As you listen to the song (click here), let that sink in. The TRUTH is, no matter how you feel today, GOD IS FOR YOU.
May His presence go before you
And behind you, All around you, And within you
He is with you , He is with you
In the morning, In the evening
In your coming, And your going
In your weeping, And rejoicing
He is for you
He is for you
He is for you
He is for you
He is for you
He is for you (Amen, Amen)
Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship - The Blessing (Live)
In the Waiting
Is it possible that the moments of loneliness that we all feel are really just times of waiting on God? In the waiting, God is doing two things on our behalf. God is renewing our strength and preparing us for our next mission. Understanding these two ideas can help us break the cycle of loneliness.
IN THE WAITING, God Is Renewing Our Strength. Our moments of loneliness sound a lot like what David wrote in Psalm 69:3 ESV, "I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God." God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows when our spiritual gas tank is empty, and it is time to pull over into His heavenly gas station. In the waiting, God is renewing our strength to prevent us from acting on His behalf in our own power.
IN THE WAITING, God is molding us into His likeness. He is gently shaping us into our future selves that only He knows we need to become to accomplish the next unique mission He has for our life. Yeah, I know that last sentence is a mouth full, so let's look at each part a little closer. Often we find ourselves waiting on God so He can shape our character to be more like His ways. Resist the temptation to run ahead of God's timing. He knows what your future looks like and what new opportunities you will have to partner with Him. Let this promise from the book of Proverbs encourage your spirit today. "Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors." Proverbs 8:34 ESV
Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, we all find ourselves spending many of our days "in the waiting." Maybe you are waiting on God to understand where he is at in all of this chaos? Perhaps you are waiting to go back to school or work? Maybe you are just waiting to be able to watch your favorite sports team in person again. Take courage, though, "in the waiting," God is renewing our strength as we surrender control over our circumstances.
Sample Prayer
Lord, thank you for always being there for me and never giving up on me. Help me to stay in the moment. Help me to trust your timing, even when I don’t understand your plans.
Featured Music
The Blessing (Live) - Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship
This is a once in a generation song.
About the Author
Nathan Miller
You may know me as a husband, father, son, brother, friend, mentor, ultra marathoner runner, NBA basketball enthusiast, fan of all things tech, music lover and writer. However, the life blood that flows through everything that I strive to be comes from a desire for greater intimacy with Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, my Provider, my Lord and most of all my best friend.