When pastoring in Ainsworth, NE, while I knew that was where God had planted me, I still had times when I felt alone. Ainsworth has a population of about 2,000 located in the North Central part of Nebraska, about three hours from reasonably good shopping. For many, their closest neighbor was at least a mile away. Moving there was a cultural shock in various way compared to serving in California and Oregon. It took me a while to figure out why a farmer or rancher would raise one finger when I passed them on a street or highway. I thought they were warning me of a sheriff patrol ahead when it was only their way of saying “Hi, neighbor,”.
In that kind of environment, it’s easy to become detached from people in larger communities and very independent which I know is the antithesis of Christianity. When Connie and I would go to a state-wide, church function, that detachment became more evident. That mentality stands in stark contrast to the idea Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT2), The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. He went on to write 1 Corinthians 12:19-21 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
While God does speak to each of us as individuals, it is striking to think that what He tells us is only unique to us because we serve a different role in building His kingdom. Another analogy He uses is that each of us all lively stones but only together we make up His temple that serves one single purpose to glorify Him. It might be similar to a factory that produces one product but employs hundreds that must collaborate in order to produce that product.
When Moses was all alone in the desert, God spoke to him out of a burning bush. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6a). God always speaks to an individual in the context of what He has done or is doing in the lives of others. His assignment for Moses was not independent from the other Hebrews but rather vital to His plan for them and their coming generations. When Moses finally grasped that fact, it humbled him to the point, …he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3:6).
When I feel like I’m alone, it is stunning and humbling to me when the Holy Spirit reminds me that my environment or thought life is not as real as it feels. In His eyes, although I am separated by miles, culture, economic status or race, I am still a part of a much larger body with a much larger purpose than what it appears. In contrast to what our current culture tells me, my life is not about me!! Therefore, I cannot act independently and do my own thing. Everything I do must in some way fit in to His body that has a purpose far, far greater and more important that my finite mind can comprehend. That gives me a sense of dignity, worth, purpose and confidence in doing whatever He has assigned me to do. Even though my assignment may be very small, it is vital to moving His awe-inspiring purpose along to its fulfillment.
Paul was writing to servants or slaves who felt like “nobodies” when he wrote, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, (Colossians 3:23 NIV). No one is a nobody when working on His assignment, dressed in His dignity and with His anointing. You may literally work or feel alone, but you are NOT alone!! You are a vital function of a much larger body fulfilling a God-designed purpose!