Isolation.

From the moment we are born we are fighting loneliness.

All the swaddling in the world cannot give the illusion of security that our mother gave us as she held us fast for over nine months. Close to her heart, we were as at one with her as we were ever going to be with anyone.

At the moment we are born, we are thrust out into a vast universe of the unfamiliar, and our close companion of recent months comes and goes. As the months go by, some babies cry with great alarm when a parent leaves the room. Some psychologists say that the children actually believe the parent is gone, really gone forever. In baby perspective: “If I can’t see you, you don’t exist in the world as I know it.”

In our school years, we want to be part of groups and friendships; it causes great pain when we are left out. We learn to form good friendships with likeminded people as part of our life-long battle against isolation. We form families, either traditional or sisters of the heart.

We have been thrust into an unfamiliar world lately. Our church friends and maybe even family cannot come close. It is uncomfortable. We do not like much about it. But the one who sticks closer than a brother has not moved an inch away from us. He is still sticking. (Proverbs 8:24) The one who said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” has not left us; He has not forsaken us. (Hebrews 13:5) Still holding you close to His heart, He is saying, “ …`Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.'” (Matthew 6:31b) For most of us, He has created some quiet places in our schedules so we can come away with Him for an hour or a day.

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” What does this loving parent who never leaves your side want you to learn from Him? Now that He has winnowed the crowds around us and pulled us away from our norms, what does He want you to take a closer look at or meditate on in your times of solitude or lessened activity? Or does He want you to simply rest in Him and open your heart to hear His voice in the quiet? His every act is purposeful, and He has a purpose for you in isolation.

Like the assuring parent He is. The Lord tells you repeatedly in the Old Testament and New that He will always be by your side; that He is always there. But maybe this season’s purpose for you is to fully see the constancy and reality of His presence by your side. Nothing has changed for Him. He was always there, aligned with you and for you, from the moment He knit you in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) He will remain there close by your side when this year is a distant memory. When this is over, will you take with you the nearness and awareness of this God who holds you close to His heart at all times?

Sometimes it is hard to see Him, to know His presence. Like those infants, we may doubt He is even there for us. I am leaving you with some verses that are words you can count on, whether you are feeling lonely or dry or simply don’t know how to feel right now.

I also apologize if these words seem insensitive to the many among us who are working harder than they have ever worked in their lives to sustain, heal, serve, transport, and supply the rest of us. Thank you. I am praying that you will see God in the middle of what you are doing. He is near you in your hard place, too. I ask my friends to pray for your protection and for your needs in this crisis. May God richly bless you and make His presence known to you.

-         And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

-         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. Deuteronomy 31:6

-         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." Hebrews 13:5

-         Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30