Walking Alone, But Never Lonely

You are only as lonely as you allow yourself to be, even when you are walking alone.

I was thinking about David and the 23rd Psalms. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” There was nothing here to indicate he was on a journey with others around him, except the Lord. It was the Lord’s rod and staff that comforted him. There’s not even a hint that he was walking with others, although the crowded nation surrounded him. He may have been on a visible journey, but he was going through the valley all by himself.

Then I thought about Robert Frost and his poem, “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.” I’ve never isolated the thought before, but I realize he was probably alone every time I read, quote, or think about the poem. As the writer, he penned the words about that observer, who was probably alone watching the woods fill up with snow. He wrote alone.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the moment of solitude alone.

Finally, I realized that throughout much of our life, we walk alone. You don’t have to be lonely at the moment. But you do face the moment of struggles and spotlight all by yourself. It’s almost like looking internally where no one else can be. The clambering continues, but the solitude is just that. Alone, you face the times before you.

Being Alone Is Okay, Just Not Always Best

Most of my working career was accomplishing tasks alone. Even when managing others, working on team projects, or sitting through endless meetings about meetings we should be having, I was alone in my thoughts. In my mind, regardless of the crowd, I’m all alone. Thankfully, nothing haunted here!

Perhaps that’s the struggle many have. Many don’t know how to live within themselves and find peace, contentment, and happiness. It’s often all about being surrounded by people who validate your identity. Pat me on the back. Attaboy! Some find their superpowers in a crowd. Mine is experienced when I’m alone.

Okay. I love to visit people. But my peace comes from slipping back into the corner and thinking things through, even with discordant sounds and huge crowds. I can be alone with myself! Happy!

Jesus prayed alone. (Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12) The only time we read of others around him was that final prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was alone as his followers slept the tired sleep of the night. Those same followers fled into the night as Judas confronted Jesus and he was arrested, and as He faced Pilate alone.

Though in a crowd, you are often alone, especially when it seems all are against you. Been there…Done that!

This gives me pause as I consider the last days. We will stand alone in judgment.

Alone, But With Others

My bride and I have celebrated over 47 years together. There’s no other person as close to me as her. Although my siblings, parents, and relatives, in general, are all part of my life, I still face life alone. My thoughts crowd out all others as I ponder and pray about the future. Talk them out in general, but it’s still me who decides on how I move forward. I must feel good about it within myself.

As Adam was placed into the Garden, God realized he had no companionship. “It’s not good for man to live alone.” (Genesis 2:18) So God created for him his “better half!”

When it came time for Jacob to reunite with his brother, Esau, he sent his entourage to the other side of the water, and alone, he wrestled with a man throughout the night. (Genesis 32:24) Rejoining his travel partners, he continued the journey to his future. But he spent time alone as he became the man God wanted him to be. (I could spend a lot of time thinking about Jacob becoming Israel and leading his family to Egypt.)

Unless we choose solitary confinement, we will always have others around us. Yet, even in a crowd, I’m still alone with myself. We need sounding boards, but we are still the captain of our fate. Our actions prove this all the time. Even when in the company of others, we are solely accountable for what we do.

We are often alone with our thoughts, and what these thoughts ponder produces the person we are.

No matter your lot in life, you need to say, “It is well with my soul.” (Horatio G. Spafford, 1873)