Look at this group of chairs. Doesn’t it makes you want to gather with a few family and friends and talk until the stars dot the summer night sky? Can you imagine lighting a fire and being captivated by blue flames waltzing together?
What a beautiful picture, can you see it? Laughter and tears. Encouragement. Empathy. Warm hugs and ice-cold drinks. Smiles. Eye to eye, heart to heart connection. Sweet love.
But for now the chairs sit empty.
I feel it.
Do you?
There’s a brokenness among God’s people. Life is crushing lately. So much suffering on so many levels. Huge concrete walls guard our hearts with barbwire on top for extra protection. Waves of bitterness, anger and shame wash over us, convincing us to stay where we are. Alone on an island. We gossip in the name of prayer. We find more judgment inside the church than out. Comparison and competition are the norm. Depending on who we are with, we either feel bigger and better or worm-like and small. Words spoken and unspoken leave us with yet another stab wound. Abandoned, we bleed in silence.
Empty chairs.
Chairs in a circle, set for gathering, but with no one willing to go there. With our backs turned we give excuses, “I’m too busy.” Deep down we know otherwise. Relationships aren’t worth it. We’ve tried and got burned one too many times. We’ve learned it’s easier to sit and rock back and forth alone. We’d rather be where people are not. Feeling lonely and discouraged, we wonder why we are here instead of there, in those inviting chairs.
What happened to gathering, loving and encouraging one another?
Sweet Love, come back to us. Jesus, invade our hearts again. Heal our wounds. Take the gunk out of our hearts and replace it with Your pure love. We need You. Without You, our human love runs dry. Our love is conditional, fickle at best. LORD, remind us to fill those chairs once again with two or more… Isolation is a death trap and the enemy knows it. We can’t stop meeting. Not now. Not when life is falling apart, it’s crucial we sit together. Create in us a new desire to gather again. And as we do, let us fix our eyes on Your unending flame of love. Amen.
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
*** I haven’t started my new meme yet because I can’t decide on the day of the week. Maybe Fridays will work, just don’t want to pick a day when other memes are booming. Would rather pick a day when you might be willing to jump in and join me. Any suggestions on a better day? ***
Wow! Have you been reading my journal? Ha! This is exactly what I am wrestling through right now…and have been for the last 2 months or so. I so want to withdraw–to isolate–but know that isn't what God wants for me. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Tiffany,
When you ask, "What happened to gathering, loving and encouraging one another?" — The easy answer is, "…The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards," but the fact is that we can be, prideful, selfish and insensitive.
I want fellowship with family and friends but there are times when I'm isolated. My intent is not to avoid the company of others but there are those times (in my life) when I seek solitude.
This is a post which generates self-examination.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
Debbie, so good to know this post encouraged you. 🙂
MTJ, I am like you in the seeking solitude part. Often.. As part introvert/ extrovert, I need time to refresh and reflect away from the crowds. Jesus did this too, its good for us. This post refers more to those who are wounded from others and need to get back in the chair of relationship. It hurts me to think about those who need support and love more now than ever, but they won't come out of hiding. And I watch what I sense happening to their heart and it kills me. Lord, help us all be willing to extend a hand and our hearts to the broken.
Thanks for adding this thought, it helped me process some more.
Powerful post sis, so sad, but very true. We have got to reach out to others, so many are hurting. We need to love them like Jesus. I think Friday or Saturday would be a good day for your meme. I love you.
So many reasons the chairs are empty–you touch on lots of them.
But I like the fact that the chairs are set up and waiting…that there is hope…that there is at least the possibility for conversation, were we able to change.
Maybe, just maybe, with the power of the Holy Spirit moving in and among us, some of the pain and sin can be repented of, sorted through, forgiven and restored.
Having written about slowing down, I know for a fact that people are craving a slower lifestyle; people want to sit and rock and chat and be together.
Maybe if one humble, open, changed person eases herself into one of the chairs, others will stop and visit for awhile, and then others, and soon many will taste the sweetness of fellowship and unity?
We can hope.
This is an amazing post, thank you
Denise, you love me like Jesus. Thank you. I hope to sit with you in real life someday.
Ann, your added commentary blessed me so much. Thank you. I have renewed hope.
Tiffany,
What a thought-provoking post. Last year, I found myself rather isolated…and I asked God to bring me some women friends. He has blessed me with 3 "sisters" that are closer to me than I ever thought possible in such a short amount of time.
And He's brought me…YOU!
GOD BLESS!
Amen!
Amen! Oh that believers would gather to heal, support, and encourage.
Praying for us all to be a safe haven for us and the lost.
Right on target. This statement is sadly, too true: "We find more judgment inside the church than out." It is tragic when brothers and sisters turn on each other, but it is all to common. I pray for revival among God's people to be …. God's people.
A friend and I chatted on the phone today along the same lines as your blog today. Hurt, self protective walls, isolation. It shouldn't be easier to open my heart to bloggers I've never met, than to the brothers and sisters in Christ that I fellowship with, but in truth, it sometimes is.
Yes, I miss the sit together times.
I suggest Tue or Fri for your meme.
Beautiful thoughts, and so needed.
As long as we keep trying to cram each other into chairs that don't fit and make people's backs hurt, we'll have problems. We just need to let everybody choose their own chairs, and stop trying to make all the decisions for them based on our own taste.
Have I stretched that metaphor enough? 🙂
I loved this post Tiffany, and the imagery you provide. Loving and encouraging one another is the core of Christianity, and it's something a whole lot of us are sadly lacking.
Oh this: "What happened to gathering, loving and encouraging one another?"
A post that invites us into caring and community…
We deeply appreciate this post — it's what High Calling is all about — pulling blogs into a circle and encouraging each other.
Thank you for such a confirming, affirming post…
All's grace,
Ann Voskamp
tiffany, well said and true. this is one of my honey's favorite scriptures. 🙂
This is amazing! It's speaking to me because it's how I'm feeling, too. I just love conversations of the heart!
If only…if only…
what a sweet parallel…thought provoking! thanks for sharing! I sure do like your bloggy home, too!! 🙂
Thank you for stopping by today and for your kind words. I really loved the empty chairs and all that you had to say and I love your prayer.
Thank you for your lovely post.
This convicted me, Tiffany…as an introvert, I don't always do my part in this…with His help…we can fill those chairs…