Not everyone believes the same thing that you do. (Newsflash, right?) For Christians, the Bible says we are to follow God in all aspects of our lives, large and small, which may or may not coincide with prevailing opinions. The message all around us is to “get with the program” and no be so old-fashioned or rigid in our thinking. And it’s easy to feel alone.
The prophet Elijah felt like this (1 Kings 19). When threatened with death by Queen Jezebel after the defeat of her pagan prophets, Elijah ran for it. He eventually came to Mount Horeb, in deep despair. “They’ve killed all your prophets, and I’m the only one left.” But God told him, “I’ll leave (there are still, emphasis mine) seven thousand who’ve not bowed down to Baal.” In other words, “No Elijah, you’re not alone. There are many more.”
Years ago, I was at a week-long conference for work. There were people with all kinds of beliefs there, and I felt very alone. But the last morning of the conference, a very tall, thin man approached me. “Are you a Christian?” he asked (he had noticed the Christian fish necklace I was wearing). “Yes, I am,” I said. “I am, too,” he replied. We chatted briefly, and he told me that he was from St. Louis. We then parted ways. But I no longer felt alone, and my gloomy outlook brightened. I believe this person was surely sent to encourage me. There were others right here around me that followed Jesus.
When you feel like you’re the only one standing up for what’s right, what God says is right, remember that you are not in fact alone.
By the way, over the years, I’ve wondered if that guy was really from St. Louis…
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