When the Christian life seems lonely, a great “cloud of witnesses” cheers us on. Recently I have had occasion to feel sad and tired too, but Hebrews 11:1-6:3 has kept me going. I know my renewed determination to serve my husband, my family, the church—both adults and children will bring its share of temptations. After all, Satan cannot let me taste the sweetness of bearing fruit without a few thorns.
The last few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster in which I have realized the truth of these words by Kara Glott about the “Narrow Road”:
Hidden in the lowly places—
In travelled, common places—
In the poor and humble places,
There is a gate
So called “The Strait.”
It opens to the narrow road—
A steep and tiring, lonely road—
A threatened, scorned, and avoided road,
That any blind
Would never find.
Yea, none would ever find the way—
The persecuted, hated way—
The light and living, better way,
Except the Son
The race had run.
Yet at the end a city fair—
And mansions, streets and rivers fair,
Await the weary pilgrim there—
There where the Lord
Is our reward.
As I write, the sunshine is strong outside; a soft breeze blows. My safety and comfort, as I write, reminds me of the confidence I gain as a disciple of Jesus when I obey His words, when I praise his work and his authority, when I ask, when I confess, when I cry to the Father in prayer. This last week, my prayers ascended with others from our church family, reminding me that even when life seems lonely I am surrounded by caring family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and cheered on a by “a great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before (Heb. 12:1-3).
Dear Father in Heaven, Sustainer of life, you are the God who stills the storm and who sends the rain on the just and the unjust. I beg you to help genuine faith to grow in me and turn my heart more towards you. Open doors of opportunity for your servant as long as I am searching. Comfort me as I grieve my losses. Protect us all as we travel and work. Reward our study with recognition of your truth. Thank you for friends who encourage but also are kind enough to rebuke. They make us stronger. Thank you for your everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
-Beth Johnson
Such deep and meaningful, beautiful thoughts. Loneliness IS one of the greatest temptations, though unless we’ve experienced it ourselves it’s almost impossible to relate to that. Maybe that’s one of the reasons we’re given times of sadness or fear or isolation, etc. – so we’ll learn compassion that we need for others. We should remember to not only pray for the sick, travelers, etc., but also to pray for the lonely, for those with spiritual struggles and discouragement or depression. I especially like your conclusion – that though the way may seem dreary and parched, we’re not without companions in scripture, the great cloud of witnesses, and, yes, we should remember to reach out to our brethren, even those physically far away, and draw each other close. 1 Sam 30:1-6, Prob 25:25,
2Co 7:5 — 2Co 7:7
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
THANK YOU for strengthening me this morning with your wisdom and thoughtfulness.