GODLY SEPARATION

Hello April! Walking out and about you see the beautiful beginnings of Spring with new growth and new blooms. In other words, just like there are new seasons on the earth, there are seasons spiritually in our life. Furthermore, without a variety of seasons we would not grow.

Many of you know that God moved me from a place of comfort being surrounded by my large family and many friends to a place where I had none. I’ve had people tell me, “I could never do what you’re doing. Leave my family. Move across the country.” My reply is, “Well if God told you too, hopefully, you would.”

Growth

It is never in comfort that there is growth. God has to take you through boot camp training to prepare you for your calling. It might feel like winter but He has spring prepared.

There is a benefit being separated by friends and loved ones. Jesus sometimes moves our attention away from what is good to help us become what is God.

You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life!” -Luke 14:25-27

Sometimes that good thing or good friend is returned; sometimes it is replaced with another good thing. This, of course, is not enjoyable, being stripped never is.

Him alone

Obedient service to Jesus can take us away from our friends and family both physically and emotionally. Sometimes those closest to us do not understand our obedience {this was also true for Jesus’ family}, which can cause them to distance themselves from us.

God knows we were intended to live in community and He will give us new friends and spiritual families to embrace. The sorrow of loneliness can purge, simplify and point us with undivided attention to Jesus.

Some lessons are learned only under duress. David prayed, “Make me understand the way of your precepts.” We often learn through adversity.

Ease is good for many things but learning is not one of them. Isolation positions us to hear from Jesus and pulls us away from the distractions of other voices.

This Godly separation should not be regretted. It produces diligence, zeal, vindication, and can lead to focus. It also brings sanctification, channeled energy, renewed reverence. Furthermore, it develops in us appropriate longing, passion, which ultimately brings the Lord’s public endorsement.

There is a time to be surrounded by family and friends, and there is a time to stand alone and be deepened by Godly separation – both give life.

Clarity

When He first physically moved me, He began to show me that He wanted to take me through a very important season of Jesus + nothing. Honestly, I started out kicking and screaming.

When He began to do His good work in me and show up in supernatural ways in my life, His bigger, better picture for me became very clear. Furthermore, it gave me the understanding that this is all for our good and His glory.

When we are surrendered to Him, nothing is wasted. We will come out better, thriving in our season of spring, where all things are made new.

Let’s pray

“Lord, do what you need to do to prepare me for your greater call on my life. Separate those that hinder me from growth for my good and bring the right people into my life. I give my life to you in greater surrender. Amen.”