Mark 1
Find a Solitary Place!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church. Today is Monday, April 20
There is a difference between forced isolation and choosing to be with God alone. One brings life and the other death. There is a reason why solitary confinement is a severe punishment in prisons and why the silent treatment is a strangle hold on a child or spouse’s well-being. Because loneliness is a condition of your soul, and forced isolation is a poison to it.
Jesus pursued a solitary place with His Father. Mark 1, verse 35 describes what I believe to be a reoccurring scene from Jesus’ life, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
I know this is going to sound a bit upside down in days of social distancing, but please, even if you feel that you are being forced into isolation by the COVID-19 pandemic, the best thing you can do for yourself in this time of loneliness is seek a solitary place to be alone with Jesus. Only God can heal your soul from the damaging effects of loneliness and forced isolation.
Seize the moment and make space and time for your relationship with God. Be careful about numbing yourself with TV or other “drugs” of choice. Those are false friends and will not provide you with the intimacy you need in this time. Run into the arms of Jesus by prioritizing a designated time and a set apart place to meet with Jesus, every day. Not just during this forced time of social distancing, but use this time to create a new rhythm of life that you can take with you after this is all behind us. Jesus is inviting you to come to Him and find healing and rest for your soul.
Please dial the phone number below if you need any practical assistance or would like to talk to someone from First Baptist Church. We would love to pray for you!