Isolation – For What Reason?

Far too often we pull ourselves away from people and things and place ourselves into a season of isolation. Why are you alone? Do you need some help? When I think of “Isolation” the very first verse that comes to mind is Gen 2:18—it is not good. It’s not good for us to be all-one (alone).

Although the world has found itself in a season of forced isolation. This is not what I am talking about. Let’s be real, some of us have been isolated from people and things a lot longer than the past few weeks.

I have worked more than 20 years in the Mental Health and Substance Use field. All of the people I have seen who have isolated themselves, have done so because of symptoms, issues, concerns that affected them; all of which were not healthy or for the right reasons.

As humans we are created to be around others, it’s a basic human need according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Love & Belonging is 3rd after Physical and Safety needs have been taken care of. Love is Powerful and so is being a part of something.

God gave us this great design in the Garden of Eden. Once He made man; God placed him in a safe place and then He gave the man someone. It is a good thing for us to be around others, who we can help, and who can help us. We are better together.

After the fall of mankind, due to disobeying God, which was a “bad thing;” Jesus had to come to make things right (good) again. We have a few scriptural accounts in the 5th Chapter of Luke where Jesus draws people to Him. He showed us why we need help.

Jesus first challenges us to leave our comfort zone and move into deep waters. These are places where we must take risks. He gave them (and us) an opportunity to receive Increase, by gathering what we value and then helping us to see the real value is to get around others, to catch people—help them to know Jesus. (v.1-11)

He demonstrated next, that sick people can be helped by us when we put our hands to work to heal them. In the past people avoided touching sick people because they would get sick. Now we have the power to help those who need divine help. (v.12-15)

In this chapter Jesus also forgives sin. We see that those who are not able to do much on their own, rely on those willing to lend their hands to help a friend in need. Jesus showed unbelievers that we can do great things. (v.17-26)

In addition, Jesus allows us to see that people who others “hate” can also be saved. We are here to help everyone, not just the people we like. The “tax collector” or those involved in criminal activities are not our enemy, and they are in need of a Savior too. (v.27-32)

You may be asking yourself what about v.16, where Jesus often went away to be by Himself? Was Jesus not placing Himself in “isolation” here? Simply put, no He was not.  

Jesus wasn’t “isolating” Himself, He was taking time with His Father to be renewed, refreshed, and reminded of His dependency on the Father while here on earth. He needed this time.

You may be asking yourself what about v.16, where Jesus often went away to be by Himself? Was Jesus not placing Himself in “isolation” here? Simply put, no He was not.  

Jesus wasn’t “isolating” Himself, He was taking time with His Father to be renewed, refreshed, and reminded of His dependency on the Father while here on earth. He needed this time.

We all need time/special time with the Father. God has created us all for good work, and being with Him is quality time to reflect on relationships. You see isolation, in many cases, has been a time of running away from people to be alone.

God wants us to run to Him and to be close to Him so He can teach us intimate things for us to do.