Religious Aloneness

One of...if not THE... saddest things in the world is
"aloneness." As the world is shocked by the death
of Michael Jackson, I cannot help but be overwhelmed with how "alone" he was. Oh sure, he was surrounded by many people at all times, but did they really "know" him? Did he really "know" them? His life screamed out "aloneness". He was a tortured soul, seemingly spinning out of control for years. The very ability that gained him fame & adoration, also paralyzed him. He was so well known, like many celebrities, he couldn't go out in public like a "normal person". Thus his life became abnormal. Aloneness does that to a person. God said, "we were not meant to be ALONE." In other words, you were not designed by your Creator, to live life "alone". God is all about relationship. He created us in His image. We are also designed for relationship...with God...and with each other. When we live without relationship...stuff goes haywire. Live without God for too long, and watch out, things spin out of control quickly. Live life "alone" without real, authentic, deep relationships with other people...and the "aloneness" will deteriorate you and who you are meant to be. Our culture sees symptoms of aloneness and its effects...not just in secluded celebrities that become eccentric...but in our society in general. Alcohol, addictions and drug abuse are often fueled by the pain of "aloneness". Sexual identity issues flow out of a desperate attempt to have some semblance of "belonging" or "being less alone". Gangs are often a substitute for the family & friends that are NOT there. Materialism grows out of the need to have "stuff" being traded because self worth and value are not felt within. Insecurities and fears of all kinds sprout out of this over whelming sense of being helpless and alone in facing life. Divorce and the re-defining of "family" is a desperate attempt to try and solve the problem of "aloneness" even within the context of marriage & home life. But one of the saddest forms of "aloneness" is "religious aloneness". That way of religious life that is so skewed, that you are left to work out your salvation... on your own...in your effort. Religion, after all, is really "man's attempt to please God". Now this is in many religions...and is a concept many people obviously gravitate towards..."earning brownie points with God". Somehow we feel more in control if its about "us" doing stuff and being "good enough". Many religions hold to this ideology...and many Christians fall into the same trap as well. We like the "control" of doing something to "get" something from God...but its a double edge sword... because it leads to "religious aloneness". That place, where we all face reality, and KNOW we are NOT good enough...that we can't do it on our own. That is "religious aloneness". If you have bought into the mindset that "if" you do the right stuff, the right way, then God is pleased and will bless you... you will quickly feel "alone" when you realize you can't. Even the best of us can't do it all right, all the time. If this whole life somehow depends on you "doing it" to earn God's favor...then you will feel overwhelming "alone"...especially when you realize you can't keep it up. The task is beyond our abilities. If you live there too long, that "aloneness" will deteriorate who you are...and who you are meant to be. Like Michael Jackson, you will live a religiously eccentric life...out of touch...and alone. Not at all what God intended. God said "we are not meant to be alone". He meant it. God in His grace solved the problem of human aloneness and religious aloneness. He took away any barriers that hinder our relationship with Him, through Jesus payment for all our sins & blow its. Now nothing is in the way. God says, "for all who would call on the name of Jesus..." Not just some who are good enough, but those who trust what Jesus did, and trust enough to begin a relationship with Him. Not just a relationship where "your sins are forgiven", but also a relationship "where it is Christ in you" that produces Godly things in and through you. Where God's Spirit guides, directs, counsels and heals the soul that would trust Him. You see, God offers a life now & for eternity, where we do not do it "alone". God provided the payment for all our sins & failings...God guides, directs, counsels & heals us...and by trusting the Jesus in us, it is God who does the transforming within us! We are definitely not alone in this journey! God did not create us to live alone naturally...and thankfully He doesn't allow us to live spiritually alone either...He promises to be with us, every step of the way. At ECHO, we call that "good news"...How about you?

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO