Proverbs 18:1
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
After World War 1 and the Great Depression the United States adopted a plan of isolationism. The pain of both previous experiences caused a national mood of staying out of involvement with foreign nations. Then came Pearl Harbor and the U. S. was forced into war and a networking with other friendly nations that formed the Allied Forces. It is a difficult thing for anyone to try to make it on their own. North Korea has tried it and has suffered greatly for their policy of isolation. It is hard to fathom that their people can be so blind as to follow their dictator and worship him as a god. How could it happen? It happens with church groups and individuals as well, just to a lesser degree. In almost all cases isolationism is caused by reactionary behavior. Some negative, painful experience of the past has caused a circling of the wagons and an independence to protect themselves. I have watched people do it throughout my ministry. The Christian isolationist will say things like, " I don't need the church. I love Jesus and that's all I need." At first glance it sounds super spiritual. That is until we examine isolationism in light of the Scripture. We were never designed by God to live alone. From the beginning after Adam was made by God, God said, "It is not good for man to be alone." Let's now examine the theme verse from earlier, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all judgment." Regardless of the apparent reasons a person pulls away from others, at the heart of it is independence and pride. "He seeks his own desire." He doesn't want anyone telling him what to do! The reason for isolation is to do what we want without anyone being a part of it. When we do this, we restrict ourselves to ourselves. We limit our world to our own limited sphere. What a large world we imagine and what a tiny world we create. Every individual is so limited and so blind to the larger picture. Then from that place of tininess and weakness we "break out against all judgment." We have resisted and insulated ourselves from the greater wisdom of the group. We are in a downward spiral but are blind to see it.
Certainly, there is a price to pay for submitting to living among the group. There is a proper order and decorum to be observed. But like enjoying the smell of a rose we must navigate the thorns in order to enjoy the aroma.
May all who have decided to leave God's people, the Church, reconsider today. After all, the Church was and is the plan of Jesus. May we commit ourselves again to put up with the thorns for the sake of the rose.
