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REFLECTION

The results of isolation and individualism is the theme for our reflection. Isolation means complete separation of a person or a group of people from others. Individualism is the habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant. The nation Israel in a prayer of lamentation sought God’s compassion and restoration in the face of great adversity as a result of their sins. “Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us; look, and see our disgrace! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners…The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!” (Lamentation 5:1-2, 15-16)

Dear friend, sin is the act of isolating oneself from God to live a life of independence and self-reliance without Him. Isolation and individualism leads to slavery and suffering. When the nation decided to isolate themselves from God and to live in sin, under the deception of individualism or doing that which pleases them instead of relying on God, they experienced the following and other hardships: “…We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows. We must pay for the water we drink; the wood we get must be bought. Our pursuers are at our necks; we are weary; we are given no rest.” (Lamentation 5:3-5). Similarly, Jesus teaches us through the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 that the moment we isolate ourselves from God to live a life of individualism we become slaves to our fleshly desires and the consequence is suffering. Until the prodigal son repented and took the decision that “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servant” (Luke 15:18-19), he remained in isolation and suffered for the consequences of living a life of individualism without his father.

Beloved in the Lord, the world is filled with deception and has nothing to offer us except temptations that will lead us into destruction under the mirage of isolation and individualism. Kindly reflect on your relationship with the Lord today and if you feel isolated from Him because you are obsessed with the entrapment or fleshly desires of this world under the guise of individualism, then like the prodigal son, repent and say to the Lord, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son (or daughter.” (Luke 15:21). We are greatly assured and encouraged in 1 John 1:9-10 that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Shalom

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help us to reject and overcome the temptation to live a life of isolation and individualism. Strengthen us to live according to the will of God and remain safe under His gracious and mighty protection. Amen.