Others can walk with us only so far. At some point we must continue our journey alone. But it is here with God that we find our inner strength to fulfill what is ours to do.
Peter, James, and John joined Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane before he was crucified. But Jesus went a little ahead of them to pray and when he returned his disciples were asleep.
It’s clear we need others to walk with us on our journey. Even Christ selected his inner circle to be with him throughout his ministry.
At the same time, there often comes a point in which we must also journey ahead alone.
It’s not that others are unwilling. In fact, in as much as possible, they might feel the weight of our burden as much as we do.
But there remains a cross that is ours to bear alone. And as such, we each have our moments in Gethsemane – moments full of anguish and without the benefit of human comfort.
As lonely as this moment is it’s also holy. God meets us here and renews us with his intimate presence. He reminds us of our true identity in him and reaffirms the work that is ours to do.
It seems it’s through these lonely moments with God that we access and fulfill our deeper purpose.
This is not running away and isolating ourselves from others. But it’s remembering that others can only take us so far.
At some point we must travel alone to meet God in the secret places of our heart.
Our life is lived merely meeting the expectations of others when we’re unable to face this inner loneliness and find God.
Walk with others as far as possible. But don’t be afraid when it’s time to go alone. God will meet you here.
Photo by Reymark Franke on Unsplash
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