I S O L A T I O N

Mark 1:12-13

Do you ever feel isolated, cut off, all alone?  Though you’re surrounded by people, you may still be lonely.  Jesus knew that feeling and we can draw some courage and comfort from his experience.

We read about it in Mark’s gospel at chapter 1 and verses 12 and 13.  “At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan.  He was with the wild animals and angels attended him.”

Now I’m sure none of us has ever been sent out into a desert to be the personal whipping boy for Satan, but I’m sure we’ve all known some loneliness.  Notice who cared for Jesus in his loneliness, the text says that wild animals were with him and angels attended him.

Who is with you on your loneliest days?  Probably it’s your teammates.  Who attends to you when you’re at your lowest points?  That’s probably friends and family.  The loneliness comes to everyone; the issue is how we deal with it.

As you prepare for today’s competition, lean on your teammates and coaching staff for support in the same way Jesus would have depended on those attending angels.  Even in the loneliest moments of this season, look for consolation and companionship from friends and family as an oasis might appear in the desert.  Compete strongly today.

Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 1:18-25
Acts 2:1-21