January 10, 2020
When Our Lonely Locations Develop into Sacred Areas
ALICIA BRUXVOORT
Listen to this devotion“However Jesus usually withdrew to lonely locations and prayed.” Luke 5:16 (NIV)
I wasn’t alone, however I’d by no means felt lonelier.
Swallowing a lump of tears, I coaxed my lips into an upward flip. Then I willed myself to deal with the good friend who sat throughout from me as she advised a laugh-out-loud story about her son’s first date. I giggled in any respect the correct occasions and hoped she wouldn’t discover the laughter by no means reached my eyes.
I like this good friend. We’ve been sharing unfiltered life for years. We have prayed each other via the throes of potty-training and the woes of driver’s schooling, via the highs and lows of marriage and the peaks and pits of religion.
However on that day within the espresso store, even the snug dialog of a pricey good friend couldn᾿t minimize via the loneliness that shrouded my coronary heart. In truth, the lilt of laughter and the understanding nods merely magnified the ache inside.
Even my closest associates couldn’t really perceive the season of disappointment I used to be strolling via.
Those that knew me greatest weren’t oblivious to my heartache. They acknowledged my grief and did their greatest to stroll with me via the discouragement. They created protected areas for vulnerability and by no means mocked my tears. However even when my trusted individuals have been current and out there, my coronary heart usually felt indifferent and unreachable.
My associates may cowl me in prayer, however they couldn’t perceive my damage. They might acknowledge my disappointment, however they couldn’t erase my ache. They might make house for my unhappiness, however they couldn’t change my circumstances.
Loneliness strikes after we’re left alone in our struggles, but it surely additionally exhibits up when our struggles depart us feeling alone.
We continued to talk till our espresso cups have been drained, then my good friend pulled a wrinkled wad of paper from her pocket.
“I’m undecided if this can imply something to you,” she mentioned with a shrug. “However once I learn this verse this morning, I felt like I used to be speculated to share it …”
Once I acquired residence from the espresso store, I curled up on the sofa with my well-worn Bible and a recent stream of tears. I unfolded the crumpled piece of paper my good friend had given me and appeared up the verse she’d scribbled in hurried scrawl.
It wasn’t a soul-boosting psalm or a spirit-soaring promise. It was only a string of eight phrases tucked in the midst of a Gospel I’d learn dozens of occasions.
“However Jesus usually withdrew to lonely locations and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
At first look, it appeared like an odd verse to share. However as I spoke the phrases aloud, I discovered consolation of their tender reality — Jesus is aware of the lonely locations, too.
Nonetheless, together with that wisp of consolation got here a wave of conviction. Luke 5:16 reveals that Jesus didn’t simply know the lonely locations; He willingly selected to go to the lonely locations.
It was within the lonely locations the place Jesus sought intimacy with His Father as a substitute of the empathy of others.
And in our lonely locations, God invitations us to do the identical.
We might want somebody to step into our struggles and really feel our ache, however God invitations us to step into His presence and discover peace.
We could search for consolation from the chums round us, however God gives comfort via His Spirit inside us.
We could lengthy for somebody to hear and perceive, however God invitations us to be heard and identified.
It’s not straightforward to belief God in our disappointments or sit with Him in our struggles. However as I comply with my Savior’s instance, I’m studying that what seems to be like a lonely place in our eyes is commonly only a sacred house in disguise.
And after we search Him in these locations the place nobody else can go, we discover Him ready with a hope that nobody else can supply.
Pricey Jesus, I need to discover You in my lonely locations. Give me braveness to hunt You in my struggles, and open my eyes to acknowledge Your presence in my ache. In Jesus’ Title, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 107:35, “But He transforms a dry, lonely desert into swimming pools of residing water, parched floor into vigorous springs.” (VOICE)
Romans 5:5, “And hope doesn’t disappoint, as a result of the love of God is shed overseas in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (MEV)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Have you ever ever needed to share your story and encourage somebody however aren’t positive the place to start? Do not miss Lysa TerKeurst’s free Studio Class, three Issues You Should Know to Take Your Subsequent Step as a Author. It is our hope this class will assist jump-start your writing profession! Find out more here.
CONNECT:
Visit Alicia Bruxvoort at her blog right this moment for extra encouragement and a free printable that can assist you join with Jesus in your lonely areas.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
How has God turned your lonely locations into sacred areas? Tell us about it in the comments so we can encourage one another in our seasons of struggle.
© 2020 by Alicia Bruxvoort. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Workforce Rd., Suite 100sdfsdfd
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
