To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to have a Companion all the time. But that does not mean we will never suffer loneliness. In fact, it means that we may be lonely in ways we would not have been if we had not chosen to be disciples. When people who are contemplating becoming missionaries ask me, “But what about loneliness?” I tell them, Yes. You’ll be lonely. It’s part of the price. Strangers in strange lands are lonely. You accept that in advance.
~ Elizabeth Elliot (The Path of Loneliness)
I willingly and excitedly travelled to Africa to become that stranger in a strange land. But you see, I forgot to count the cost. I did not accept this loneliness in advance. I guess it’s not too late to embrace its rough and tiring companionship, but it is his holy companionship that I truly desire.
“Why am I in this?”
I feel selfish and distracted, the amount of time I spend pondering my condition. But, as I gaze into the mirror of my heart today, it is not my own reflection that I desire. I want to be awoken afresh to God’s love and care for me, now and always. I want this searching to offer that most precious reflection.
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
WOW Erin, it's amazing to think that you are half way done... It seems like just a month or two that I was bookmarking your blog so that I could check it. I love what you wrote about the loneliness. I can't imagine what the loneliness looks like in those boys lives. It's hard to have people come and go in our lives and with those boys people are coming and going everyday... For you, there are so many extra challenges that come into play that I can't imagine the waves of emotions that come and go... Praying for you!
Post a Comment