Alone

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best

to be left by ourselves in Athens.

1 Thessalonians 3:1

I found myself back in my hometown in my mid-twenties. The friends that I had growing up had moved on. The people in my Singles class were 5-10 years older than me. Although I enjoyed the Bible study with them, we did not have much in common otherwise.

To say that I was lonely was an understatement. I had been living in a large costal city in South America where life was noisy and busy. I had made many friends there. Being back in a small quiet East Texas town was not really my idea of a good time. 

One night, in desperation I got out my Bible, let it open wherever it landed, and stuck my finger on a verse. That’s when I discovered 1 Thessalonians 3:1. When I read it, I just had to laugh for although I was not stuck in Athens, Greece with Paul, I WAS stuck in Athens -- Athens, Texas.

I felt like God had put that verse in the Bible just for me. I had felt alone, but had not considered it necessarily “best.” After recovering from my laughter I realized that sometimes He does need us to be “left by ourselves” so that He can speak to us and teach us the lessons that we need to learn. Sometimes we just need to be quiet and, yes, quite frankly, alone.

My lesson for that season of life was that God had his eye on me. He knew exactly where I was. He was with me every step of the way and would reveal the next step of my life when He thought me ready for that information.

I have always tried to remember that lesson and to seek out His presence when lonely.

I also always smile when I read 1 Thessalonians 3:1, “my” verse.

Lord, thank you for seeking us out in our alone times so that we can spend more time with You.

Susan P.