Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Filled to Overflow



I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.2 Corinthians 7:4

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There are various books about loneliness because many are those who suffer from it. I was invited to be part of a conference on loneliness recently and there were many young married couple in attendance. They were all surprised to find themselves feeling lonely so early in their marriage. It was quite interesting because single people assume that marriage is the cure of their loneliness.

Webster defines loneliness to be a feeling of separation that comes when we feel disconnected from somebody or a group of people; it is extreme sadness resulting from being forsaken or abandoned.

I found out through my walk with God that loneliness is first and foremost a spiritual problem that begins with feeling separated from God. I feel the loneliest when I am not in obedience with the word of God. Loneliness begins when the first man and woman (Adam and Eve) sinned and lost their perfect union with each other and with God. When we choose to sin and go our own way, we disconnect ourselves from fellowship with our creator and there’s no way a believer can find fulfillment and peace away from God. He created us to be intimately connected to Him. He created us to be in perfect harmony with Him. He created us to have a need, a longing to be with Him and other people, when we hide away because of our shame of disobedience we deprive ourselves from feeling His overflowing and comforting love.

I notice that many young couples fall into the same trap, they assume that their coming together will end the loneliness of their single days. One coming together in marriage, they assume that they only need each other and they alienate everyone including God from their lives. I know the pattern very well. Two of the most active members of a church get married (Youth leader and choir director for example)and soon thereafter, they disappear. They often reappear when they are having trouble conceiving a child or when they are in need of a home or when they are going through typical adjustment period that come with living together for the first time. It never fails. I see it a lot in our churches. I am not implying that church attendance is the cause, but it is usually a sign of problems to come. When we are removed/separated/distanced from our spiritual circle/our assembly/our church, we are more vulnerable to the devil’s trap. We have a responsibility to remain alert because the devil is on a mission to bring us down. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” 1 Peter 5:8. We need each other and more importantly need God.

Whatever you are lacking or whatever is missing in your life today, Jesus wants to give it to you in overflowing measure. He wants to fill that void, the emptiness you have been feeling since your spouse walked away, since your parents died, since your fiancé chose yet again another over you. JESUS WANTS TO CURE YOU EVERYWHERE YOU HURT. He wants to restore your broken heart and re-establish the lines of communication between you and the Father that is why He gave His life. Get it? He died for your fulfillment. Go to Jesus with your emptiness, your need, hurt, pain or loneliness. He is The Source, the Author and Finisher of all things, the Alpha and Omega. He wants to fill your heart to overflowing. You will never experience the abundant life He wants you to have, the life He died to give you unless you are walking obediently with Him in an intimate and loving relationship.

I learn from experience that the most effective cure is to get right with God. Reconcile with your Heavenly Father through the blood of Christ. Repent and come back to His loving arm and never you will experience another lonely day in your life. there is no reason to be this lonely and hurt when you have the blood of Christ on your side.

“May God, the Source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in Him. Then you will overflow with hope and joy by the power of the Holy Spirit”. Romans 15:13

Praise the Lord!