Isolation or Sanctification?

Reposted from 2008:

Are you busy doing what you believe God wants you to do, but you feel like you are alone.

I King 19:14 - "And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away."

Elijah had reached his limit. The feeling of isolation had overtaken him. He was doing what God told him to do, but the results had not manifested. His response, and ran away to the juniper tree. He just wanted to rest, a break from the tough reality. Like us, he forgot that spiritual things can not be seen in our natural eyes.

"Sanctification comes from the verb sanctify. Sanctify originates from the Greek word hagiazo, which means to be "separate" or to be "set apart." (http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/sanctification.htm). Pastor William Murphey sings the song "Changes" that says "If you wanna change, gotta go through some changes." In order to get to the place God wants you to be, you must go through this. It will be lonely at times. People will push you away. But this is Good, because it causes us to focus on God. It helps us to be sensitive to his ear, and not our own or the people around us.

Some of us are just on a tougher path. Either we chose it, or God put us on it. If God put you own it, he has given you the strength to endure. Just know that you are never alone. God is standing back, like a referee in a boxing match. He will step in, if he needs to. If he does not, it is because he knows you can handle it.

The scripture above goes on to say that there were 7000 prophets that had not bowed to the idol God. Look around. There are others close to you that are just like you. God has given them challenging walk as well. Seek out those around you that have similar struggles.

You are not alone. You have the greatest Friend of all.