Walking With Christ

In every life there will be periods of isolation. This is not speaking about self-isolation. That is potentially dangerous and needs to be done with care, for short periods, and for the right reasons. God does not isolate us. He will often separate us before we can take the next step in our journey. He will only do this for three reasons:

1. He wants to give you the tools necessary for your destiny.
   • Exodus 3:1–2
     • God separates Moses from Egypt for a period to shape his character and prepare him for the leadership role he will need to fill as he leads the children of Israel out of bondage.
   • 1 Samuel 17:34–36
     • The time David spent as a shepherd prepared him for his future role as a warrior and king. His time in isolation equipped him with courage, skill, and trust in God.
   • Luke 4:1–2
     • Even Jesus spent time in isolation to prepare Him for His public ministry.
2. He wants you to know His voice.
   • 1 Kings 19:11–12
     • Elijah needed some separation and stillness to be able to hear the gentle whisper of God and receive guidance.
   • 1 Samuel 3:10
     • Samuel was set apart in the temple from a young age as he learned to recognize God’s voice in his prophetic ministry.
   • Mark 1:35
     • Jesus regularly sought solitude so that He could commune with the Father, modeling the importance of hearing God’s voice.
3. He wants to make us unrecognizable to those who only recognize our wounds.
   • Genesis 41:14
     • Joseph was isolated through betrayal and imprisonment. Through this journey he was changed so that his brothers did not recognize him, symbolizing the new identity that God had given him.
   • Galatians 1:15–17
     • Saul becoming Paul, one of the boldest apostles of Christ, required conversion followed by a time of isolation.
   • Genesis 32:28–30
     • Jacob said he had seen God face to face while wrestling with a man. God in the form of a man is Jesus. Jacob wrestled Jesus to a stalemate while in isolation. Jacob was renamed to Israel and then blessed.

A few final points:

1. Even separation and difficulty serve to prepare us for God’s purposes (Romans 8:28).
2. God transforms us into something new, making us unrecognizable to those who knew only our past (2 Corinthians 5:17).
3. God’s work often involves separation to do something new in and through us (Isaiah 43:19).
4. God shapes and reworks us during periods of separation (Jeremiah 18:4).
5. God completes the work He starts, even if the process involves separation (Philippians 1:6).

When God removes you from the distractions of life, it’s time to pay attention. He may be giving you time to heal, rest, or learn something that will be helpful in your future. It’s a lot more difficult to change who you are where you are.