Matthew 28: 20
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
When I was a kid, there was a song by Gilbert O’Sullivan titled Alone Again Naturally. I liked the song back then but to listen to it now, well, I am in a much different place and have some answers I didn’t have then. It is quite a sad song should you listen to the lyrics. The thing is, most of us have dealt with loneliness at some time or another and so the lyrics resonate with many.
If you are a Christian, and I know you are, there is no reason to suffer with loneliness. Has not our own Jesus, our beloved, made us a vow. He is with us. In fact, his name means “God with us.” Yet, we have struggled. If you have felt alone, you are not alone in that feeling.
The problem is that we weren’t taught how to be so connected with Jesus that we can be fully aware of him with us. You can become so attuned to his presence with you that if you accidentally belch, you will apologize to him. I want to lead you into this kind of relationship with him today if I can. We also have personal coaching available if this is a longing of your heart.
You see, the church presents sermons on Sunday. They are instructive, corrective and sometimes inspiring. In small groups, we tend to do Bible Studies, or we are taught to follow Bible Studies in our personal time. If you have been with me for long, you know that I think the Word is powerful truth and I continuously encourage you to spend time amongst its pages. However, I am not trying to get you to become a Bible scholar. I don’t really care if you can quote scripture and verse. We were taught to study the Bible, but that led us to an intellectual approach to the Word. When you understand that Jesus is the living Word then it becomes more about meeting a person than becoming well versed. I encourage you to the Word because I want you to find Jesus among its pages. I don’t want you to study it. I want you to lose yourself in it. I want you to allow the Word to minister to your needs. When we approach the Word with our hearts rather than our minds, then amazing things begin to happen. One of those miracles is the full comprehension of Jesus with us every minute of every day.
Studying the Bible can be fruitful, but engaging in the Word is the real deal. That is where you let Jesus guide you. Sure, you read the words on the page, but it is more than that. I have had times when our Father has led me from one scripture to another to another until they all combined to create one narrative. It is an amazing experience but not a unique one. This becomes everyday engagement.
I want you to never feel lonely, and you absolutely can achieve that status, but it does not come from seeking Jesus with your mind or simply reading the Bible. You see, there is actually a big difference between the Bible and The Word. The Bible is an amazing book. The Word is a person. I can understand if this blows your mind, but once you cross over the river to bask in the Word, you will never be the same and you will never be lonely.
So, let me help you bridge the gap of difference. Before you open your Bible, pray out of your emotions, out of your heart for Jesus to lead you, to meet you in the pages and in your time with him. Ask him to lead you to what he would like to show you. If you begin reading the Word in an open hearted, submitted way, you will find truth and encouragement. If you are only opening the Bible so that you can do your duty, or to learn the words, then you won’t find Jesus. You’ll just find a great book. Listen, there are non-believers who are true Bible scholars. That’s not what you want for yourself. You want the embrace of Jesus. Isn’t that right? Isn’t that why you are a Christian?
Never be lonely again. Open the Word and find the lover of your soul. Don’t study the Bible, look for Jesus in it and if you can’t quote great passages, but you find Jesus and he wants to move in with you, then you win!
One last thing – I am writing this to Christians. I am not trying to convert non-believers. I am trying to lead well-intentioned Christians to a deeper relationship with our beloved. I know that no matter who you are and no matter how wonderful your relationship with Jesus, you still want more. I also know there are millions of Christians who have an intellectual relationship with the trinity and with the Bible and are unfulfilled. So, this is for you. Come closer and never be lonely again. You never have to feel that horrid feeling again, ever.
Be blessed my beloved.
If this has touched your heart and you want more, reach out to our coaching staff. We would love to help. www.iveyministries.org