LEFT ALONE

In moments of isolation the silence grows into voices of urging for most of us. Without any hammer of rules or conformity hanging over our head we can often be inspired to let our real desires be expressed. Those aren't always bad, just a reflection of what is truly in our heart.

In my life the majority has been spent alone. I am married with a family and even grandchild now, but I often spend a great deal of time by myself. Even where I work, I am alone for many hours on my weekend shift.

For some people that might be a bad thing. But as a writer it is a precious commodity. At least from my point of view.

Personally, I think the Lord show real wisdom in arranging my life in this manner. A people person I'm not. Too many moments of awkward conversations and heartache have helped me appreciate that I will never be a social creature. So god forged for me a way to make a living and function that might not work for everyone.

But being alone so much of the time doesn't grant me complete freedom from any responsibility. There was a time like many people I suppose that if I was left alone at work I would have used it as excuse to do nothing.

The years and some maturity I suppose have helped me to graduate from that type of attitude to one that is more discipline. At work, I have a certain number of chores to accomplish and I come in and tend to those duties no matter how much I am by myself and unsupervised.

That doesn't make me special. It is just part of the training in faithfulness that God has given me over the years.

I am reminding of the scriptures admonitions on the issue of faithfulness. God has his watchers who see everything we do. Some people seem to forget that. They go to church on Sunday and when seen by others they think it is enough.

However, God can see deep into our alone times. He will see how what is in our heart is reveal in the choices we make when no one is forcing us to do other than what we want.

It is after all a test that is to reveal if we are faithful other than during times of crisis. Some will be obedient, some will not.

There are no applause for such a journey. No time that comes when somebody will declare your obedience before others.

For some that is not a deterrent. For others it will never translate into real faithfulness. Only time and the Lord will know if we truly touched the dark quite with the kind of obedience that will bring rejoicing in heaven.