May 1
Seasonal Separation
And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone...” Genesis 2:18 (NKJV)
God’s Word is unmistakably clear when it comes to our need for community. Even as far back as the Garden of Eden, we see the Lord definitively declare that it’s not good for man to be alone.
He feels so strongly about this that He creates a companion for man. And God doesn’t stop there. He moves from creating a companion to creating a community as He builds and establishes the nation of Israel. Jesus carries it even further when He builds the Church in New Testament times. In each case, we see God going to great lengths in order to ensure men and women are able to experience and enjoy community.
But the Bible also reveals a reality that counter-balances this truth. As much as the Lord recognizes and even provides for our built-in need for community, there are certain times when He wants us alone so we can experience one-on-one time with Him.
Sometimes our Heavenly Father knows we need a season of separation. There’s something inside of us that requires adjustment or transformation, and before this can happen, we need to block out certain things that accompany community. Other people, even those who love and want to help us, can sometimes distract us from the deeper work God wants to do. So according to His infinite wisdom and unending love, He pulls us aside for a season.
However, we need to remember that when it comes to God’s purposes for getting us alone, it’s seasonal. It’s not forever. Otherwise we’d have a serious contradiction on our hands. God gets us alone in order to refine our hearts, not just for our own sake, but so we can ultimately improve the community that God created us for.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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