Monday, April 6, 2009

True Loneliness

Yesterday marked the beginning of Holy Week for Christians around the world. We celebrated at our church with Communion and half of the Easter Cantata. This half dealt with the events leading up to the Resurrection. Next Sunday, the choir will present the second half of this beautiful and powerful Word.

One of the soloists, who is a good friend of mine, was talking to me after church. We both agreed that not only did Jesus have the weight of the world on His Shoulders on Good Friday, but He had to deal with incredible loneliness throughout the week. Yes, He was surrounded by His closest friends and the thousands who were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. But deep down, only He and the Father knew what was approaching....and it was the very reason He was sent to earth to live as a Man.

Can you imagine this scenario? You and your three BFF's go on a weekend getaway. Things are going great! Delicious food at wonderful restaurants, great shopping with lots of sales, and time to chill out and simply visit without any interruptions. Life is SO good! But deep down, you have a heavy heart. It may be that your husband's job is on the line, or you've discovered a lump and are waiting results. Just imagine if you couldn't share any of this with your BFF's because they wouldn't understand. Then, to make it even more difficult, one night you decided that you needed to finally talk to God about this. You ask your friends to accompany you to a nearby church and you head inside. Your friends are simply precious, but they are worn out from all of the shopping and running around you've done. You settle in to pray and want them to pray with you. You spend your time that is so sweet with God, and you turn around to thank your friends for being there and praying with you. But, low and behold, they've drifted off to sleep on the pews! How would you feel? These are your best friends in the world, and yet they couldn't do one little itty bitty thing for you! You only needed them to pray with you. And this happens more than once in the case of the disciples--Jesus' BFF's ! Bless His heart! Can you imagine the loneliness and the pain? Oh, my goodness, as humans we simply cannot fathom the exact thoughts and feelings that flowed through our Savior!

I encourage each of you this week to take time and slip away to a quiet place--no children, husbands, or cell phones--and spend time focusing on this loneliness that our precious Lord endured for you and me. Talk to God, but most importantly, listen to what He in turn says to you! Mark 14: 32-42 is where you can find this in the Bible.

Many blessings,

18 comments:

Scott1254 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gotta Run..... said...

One of your BEST POST!!! Love your example and how you make the lesson so clearly seen. :)

Melanie said...

Yes...this is very good and thoughtful.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

On Purpose said...

Thank you Susan for the encouragement to "take the time" to go off in silence and truly be in the presence of God and remember and praise Him for what He has done for us!

Sharon Sloan said...

Mark 6:31 - he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Oh a quiet place of rest with just us and Him. He is our portion.

Hugs to you!
And how is your leg?

Allen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

I really enjoyed this post! Your words are so real and true. Your love for the Lord really shines in your blog.

~Marci

That was me that deleted the comment above this one...I didn't know my husband was signed in.

Yolanda said...

This spoke volumes to me, for I'm in a place, and at this point only My God and my hubs knows....and if you would pray an unspoken for me for the next several days/weeks. I would truly, honestly, appreciate it.

Love,
Yolanda

Jennifer said...

Love Love Love the example you are using.


Oh btw---the decorating tips are wonderful. New to your blog...looking forward to coming back.

The Patterson 5 said...

You really put this in an easier to understand light. Thanks. I will do just as you suggested.

Sarah said...

Once again, your thoughts have blessed me greatly. Thanks for posting!

Paula V said...

Wow. That is good, Susan. I had never thought about Jesus' experience in this way. I had never thought of how I would feel. I would be crushed. Absolutely crushed and hurt that my friends didn't support me in my time of need. ACtually, I DO know how He feels...not in that exact scenario you described but three friends have left me...just five short months into my long journey of painful heartache. Now 21 months into it, it still twinges my heart...sadden that they did that. Saddened for them and for me.

Thanks for sharing this. It is really great. Not that your other stuff isn't great but I just never reflected on this in such way. Wow.
Love,
Paula

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Powerful, powerful, powerful words of witness, Susan. With Bible study now behind me for the week, I'm running to the garden to be with my Lord. I'm just sitting here sobbing reading your words. I so need to just be with Him and nobody else. I'm carrying some heavy weight amidst the crowds.

thank you...

peace~elaine

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

What a great application! Being a pastor's wife, there are many times there are things I feel this same type of loneliness...

Just wanted to pop over and answer your question about the Siesta Mountain Retreat. NO, it's not full yet! I'd love for you to come! :)

Tea with Tiffany said...

I loved this post. Encouraging us to go be with God...Thank you for making this so personal and real.

Kimberly said...

I love how you looked at it from our point of view...it is so good to take scripture and make it personal.

You are precious, and your heart for Him is a joy to see!
Love to you!
K

LynnSC said...

Hi Susan,
This is an awesome post. I have thought about "His" week many times... but never quite like you just described it. Thanks so much for the example. Very Powerful.

Blessings,
Lynn

Lelia Chealey said...

wow...I never thought of it like this Susan. loved this. You should link this post on my blog on the Mr. Linky so others can read it. It really makes ya think cuz you relate it to real life.