John 16:32-33

32 .“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Make Solitude into a Gift (John 16:32-33)

 < Make Solitude into a Gift >
 
  A flight from reality can’t bring you satisfaction and happiness. They are won when you face up to a difficulty and overcome it with faith. Do not flee even if you are placed in a situation of bullying. If you don’t lose your smile and composure, you will attract people. On the other hand, if you make a sullen face and lose your confidence, you would be left out.
 
  When you are left out, do not think you are an outcast but think you are with God and in His inner circle. Furthermore, don’t think you are an outcast in a church. You need to join church services in order to be a core member. All the church members should participate in serving and cooperate with one another in order to fit in the community. Do not say, “there’s no love in the church,” just hoping other people would take care of you. You can be a leader in church if you are steadily involved in the services and devote yourself more.
 
  A solitary moment comes to anyone in any line. What’s important is how you accept that moment and overcome it. Solitude isn’t always bad, nor is it the result of sin. Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” There was solitude even before the Fall. The first solitude allowed Adam to meet Eve. Likewise, God allows solitude in order to make us have a meaningful meeting and realize that we can’t live without Him.
 
  Do not perceive solitude only as a pain. It might be a gift from God. Jesus made it into a gift, so he was able to get over when his disciples left and when he was crucified under humiliation. I can’t say which one is better between being alone and being in the crowd. The thing is how well we manage the situations. More doesn’t always is better. Group hypnosis may weaken souls. On the other hand, solitude may allow you to realize the truth and have a meaningful meeting. At the moment of solitude, increases the possibility to have a deep fellowship with God.
 
  < God Never Leaves Us>
 
  During the upper room discourse, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (v.33). It is a confession of the unconditional absolute victory. He admitted that Christians will have trouble. Step forward in the world although you know you will have trouble. Don’t flee from it but face up to it. Jesus already has given you the power to defeat it. Overcome it with that power. 
 
  Christians always win despite difficulties. Devils let our eyes fix on the difficulties but we should see the glory after them. A Christian wins no matter what. In a difficult situation, have a spiritual eye that can see the glory afterward. There is trouble not to discourage you but to make you pray faithfully before God. In all things God works for the good. If you look closer, every situation is handled by God. When you deal with something, realize that there’s God’s good providence in it. 
 
  Proverbs 16:4 says, “The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.” God allows bad days to be. Sometimes you may see absurd things, but they are also allowed by Him. Trust Him and believe that He will use them to work for the good. Have a great hope since He is with you all the time no matter how tough your life is. Do not merely see the waves of water but see the flow of water, then you will win. God is the ultimate victor and His plan will never fail.
 
  I like the following hymn: “I’ve wandered far away from God/ Now I’m coming home/ The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,/ Lord, I’m coming home./ Coming home, coming home,/ Nevermore to roam;/ Open wide Thine arms of love,/ Lord, I’m coming home.” A couple years ago, when I was singing this, my wife made a joke that she was afraid I would wander far away. Though, I did not sing to wander far away but to remind myself of the miserable life without Jesus. I sang resolving not to wander far away from him. As long as we don’t stay away from God, He never leaves us. The reason for human concerns is not because a problem is big but because we don’t see God bigger than it.

ⓒ Pastor Lee Hangyu http://www.john316.or.kr