I'd like to start with a disclaimer. Not everyone will agree with the subject to be addressed today. It's my interpretation and opinion based on my understanding of Scripture and experiences in my life. There is a right answer for everyone only if it's found in your relationship with God. With that said I would welcome any and all comments on this post and any post that I write. The comments can also be used to ask me to write on specific topics or problems in the Christian walk in general. Thanks for your reading and in advance for your comments.
Christian social isolation began long before the birth of Christ. People went into times of fasting, praying, and seeking God's face. I'm not sure it applied to Adam and Eve but certainly generations since then have practiced fasting. I'm not just talking about fasting though. I'm also talking about taking sabbaticals, going away for recharging and refreshing, and just taking a break from everything. Often we do these out of desperation but rarely do we schedule the event in advance. Sometimes the sabbaticals are forced so that you, pastor, student, teacher, or whatever, are able to do something you don't see the need to do. Retreats serve a similar service albeit a shorter stay from a weekend to a week or two. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is to do nothing. Go away, eat, sleep and go to good teachings and worship. Christian social isolation should always have as it's precursor, motivator and closing a deep and committed prayer life. What's the point of practicing Christian social isolation if we are not going to come away from the experience richer than when we began?
Sometimes when we look at our lives seriously there are so many "busy" things going on that we lose ourselves in what we are doing instead of what we are to be. Just because we are busy we cannot equate that with serving with a willing heart. Recently I listened in on a conversation where one woman was telling her friends how her life was so full of doing this and that day in and day out. What she was really doing was complaining. When we complain grudges or resentments begin to take center stage and we are diverted from the path that Jesus has asked us to walk. Stepping into that hole is not the wisest decisions. Having people around us who can say, "You need to take a break from everything and get some alone time with God.", is essential to psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual health. There are those who seem to live off the negativity and think they are living life when in fact they are avoiding life. If we push something far enough out of our mind then it doesn't exist for us. "No, I'm not overloaded and no, my marriage and family aren't suffering from my absence, continued go, go , go."
Jesus took time away from the crowds on many occasions. He went away to pray, to rest, to be recharged, and to hear from the Father. He also went away from the disciples and did the very same thing. What we do know is that the disciples thought this to be important enough to put in their writings that became the Bible. When the disciples were unable to accomplish a spiritual task; Jesus told them, "This can only be accomplished by prayer and fasting." Jesus also encouraged the disciples to spend time with the Father in prayer for guidance, comfort and spiritual rest. Wait! If this was good enough for the disciples then why isn't it good enough for you and I? It is good enough for you and I. The sooner we realize that we are replaceable the sooner we can become more effective purveyors of the Gospel. God can do this without us. He has for eons and will continue to do so until the arrival of the new earth.
Today take a break and give yourself a break while giving others a break as well. It's Scriptural. Don't be the person who doesn't practice Christian social isolation. It's not a bad thing.
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