I'm kind of a loner. I don't like going out and "fellowshipping" with others. I always say I want too, but sometimes the thought of having to converse and get all scared about meeting new people just makes me want to stay at home.
Am I the only one that feels this way? I doubt it. If you can relate to my confession, consider this godly advice I received from a very good friend. Thanks Brad!
"Loner" doesn't work in Christianity. Ever see a film of lions in Africa hunting? What they do is try to find the "outlyer", the one who is outside the herd. If they can find a wildebeast, for instance, all by itself, they have a sure meal. Why? The animals they hunt weren't designed to be alone, so when they are, they are weaker and vulnerable. Oh! How odd! God says the same thing about us. "It is not good for man to be alone."
Christians were designed to be "herd animals". We aren't called "the finger of Christ" - we are called "the Body of Christ". That's because we're designed to work as a group. That means that we receive the most when we are in a group. That also means that we are most able to exercise our gifts when we are in a group. All believers are called on to be ministers. "I don't like to hang around with other people" simply says, "I don't like the way you made me, God, and I am not interested in the best You have to offer." Now ... move, girlfriend!
4 comments:
We are to carry each other's burdens. Believe me, it makes the load a lot lighter!
Loner, no, it doesn't work.
I am and introvert and I am not always into the whole "fellowshipping" idea either, so, there has to be a balance.
My problem with fellowships is that they seem to always revolve around food. Not enough Sunday messages on the sin of gluttony. :-)
God brings us together in our local Body of believers for a reason...you've got something someone else needs. You have a purpose in the Body...find, use it, and flourish!
I like to be left alone too, unless I can find myself some genuine and somewhat like-minded fellowship. Therein lies the key for me -- trusting the Lord to bring me the friends that He has ordained for me -- to sharpen me and occasionally, visa-versa.
The bible tells us to: "not forsake the assembling together of ourselves as has become the habit of some," and that's good enough for me!
Good post.
Yes! Thanks, Brad :) Good post, Samantha. I'm very glad does not want us to be alone. One is the lonliest number, I've heard.
"We aren't called 'the finger of Christ' - we are called 'the Body of Christ.'"
Hahah, that's a good one!! I too struggle with being a loner. I think God is helping me on that one. My thought is that yes we can do big things when joined to the body of Christ. We keep each other accountable and exercise our gifts and talents and to grow. But we also need alone time with God in prayers and in reflecting on His words. Jesus took time to retreat to himself to pray to the Father. There can also be times where, not by choice, you may become all alone, which God uses as a time to test and refine you, and I don't think those times are meant to be life long. We are meant to be 'Light and Salt of the World.' We need to have both alone time and time with other believers (body of Christ) and unbelievers (to make disciples of all nations.)
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