14 Sep Wherever You Are, Be All There

“Be still and know that He is God. When you are lonely, too much stillness is exactly the thing that seems to be laying waste your soul. Use that stillness to quiet your heart before God. Get to know Him. If He is God, He is still in charge. Remember that you are not alone. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deut. 31:8)” Jesus promised His disciples, “surely I am with you always (Matt. 28:20)” Nevermind if you cannot feel His presence. He is there never for one moment fogetting you. Give thanks. In times of my greatest loneliness I have been lifted up by the promise of Corinthians 4:17-18, “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” This is something to thank God for. This is loneliness itself will be far outweighed by glory. Refuse self-pity. Refuse it absolutely. It is a deadly thing with power to destroy you. Turn your thoughts  to Christ who has  already carried your griefs and sorrows. Accept your loneliness. It is one stage, and only one stage, on a journey that brings you to God. It will not always last. Offer up your loneliness to God, as the little boy offered to Jesus his five loaves and two fishes. God can transform it for the good of others. Do something for somebody else. No matter who or where you are, there is something you can do, somebody who needs you. Pray that you may be an instrument of God’s peace, that where there is loneliness you may bring joy.”

–Elisabeth Elliot, Passion and Purity