First let me explain the title to my story. I am a kindergarten teacher. Over the course of the day I pick up many things that are out of place. These things go in my pocket to be put away later. Sometimes they end up at home with me. This particular day, I found a domino in my pocket. I put it in my purse to return to school and proceeded to forget about it until this morning. I have seen it in my purse often over the last few months, but I never remembered to return it to my classroom.
This poor domino has been alone in my purse for months. It has been unused-- you may go so far to say it’s been ineffective. After all, what good is a single domino? If I mix it with other dominoes, it can provide fun game time for friends or family. They can be used in a kindergarten classroom to teach counting and addition. They can be used by children to make towers and elaborate patterns to topple. I remember a time when the kids would stand dominoes across the gym at recess just to watch them topple when their teacher arrived. It was a huge deal to the kids and they would work together toward a common goal. These recess days were a joy to watch.
The topic of Christian isolation seems to keep coming up in my Bible studies. Saturday morning, the comment “Isolation is a tool of the enemy” was one of the first statements I heard in my study. I had been talking to loved ones about isolation and how we can’t hide ourselves from the world. I knew isolation could be detrimental to our walk, but I hadn’t gone so far as to think of it as a tool of the enemy. Yet, it makes sense. Like the isolated domino in my purse, we are of no use for Christ’s kingdom if we isolate ourselves.
As Christians we are to be a light to this dark world. We are to walk our walk with Christ in full view of believers and non-believers. Believers need to be visible to each other so we can glorify our Lord and we can fellowship with one another. We need to be available to help our brothers and sisters in need. We need to be available to offer praise to the One in Whom all blessings are shared. Christians should be filled with joy and should be a joy to watch as we go about our day. We need to be a light to non-believers as we are commissioned to introduce others to Christ so they may enjoy eternity in Heaven with us. Eternity for non-believers is partly dependent upon our willingness to draw them to Christ.
When we isolate ourselves, we are robbing the very people we profess to care about as Christians. Sometimes isolation may be necessary. I remember a time when I was leaning so heavily on my Lord to get me through each day, that I did isolate myself. I was going through dark times and was clinging to my Father’s hands to survive. This was a trial that shook me to my very core and I knew that to get through it meant that I could rely only on my God and nobody else. However, these times are meant to be short-lived and as we come out of them, we need to share how God’s merciful grace was the only way we could find our way out of the trial. These times of isolation should be the exception, not the rule. The testimony that arises from these times of isolation should be shared as a witness to draw others to the One who healed our hearts and brought us out of isolation.
We may find ourselves isolated just because it’s easier than facing the world. It’s safer. If we isolate ourselves, we can’t get hurt. We can’t fall into temptation. We don’t put ourselves in a position to be influenced by others. We don’t have share our testimony. It’s during these times that we really need to remember all that Christ faced for us. He faced scorn and a shameful death on the cross so that we can be free and yet we choose to honor this sacrifice by hiding ourselves. Isolation not only hurts us, it grieves Christ deeply. Can you imagine how He grieves when He sees his beloved turning away from others who desperately need to hear our testimony and know of our love for Christ?
Whatever the reason for our isolation, it’s time we surrender that reason to the One who loves us more than His own life. We need our light to shine for Him. We need our light to shine for other believers. Most importantly, we need our light to shine in a non-believing world. It’s the second thing that Christ commanded of us, love one another as ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) How can we love one another if we isolate ourselves from those we are to love? I know for me personally, He is speaking to my heart about sharing more of myself. I’m not sure where this will lead me, but I just pray, “Lord, Your Will be done.”
As for my lonely domino that I have stared at as I write this, I intend to return him to the domino bin tomorrow. I know he will be much more effective with the others and he will be used as he was intended….just like we will be once we leave the protective cocoon of isolation. Praise You, Lord Jesus, for loving us. Now I pray that we love one another as You command.
