I must always remember that the best kind of disciple is developed in solitude. I must not succumb to the idea that my salvation lies in the group. The very concept of the Body of Christ in the New Testament reflects the peculiarity, individuality, and therefore the aloneness of every individual member. Of course there is common life, but merely having common life is not the same thing as discipleship.
The heroes of the Bible were essentially lonely people. Those who know God deeply do not learn the deep things of Him from others. That is why deeply spiritual people have always been treated as “strange.” Paul was accused of being out of his mind (Acts 26:24). Jesus was grossly misunderstood, even by His closest friends. It is easy to understand why disciples are “stoned, … sawn asunder, … tempted, … slain with the sword” (Hebrews 11:37, KJV), even by “religious” people!
I find disturbing signs around me that tell me the group is my hope, my health, and even my destiny. The group is god. But, Lord, the more I trust the group, the less I trust You. Quite the opposite, the group is really my stumbling block, my hindrance to the kind of personalized experiences with You that are necessary to the creation of strong discipleship.
Lord, it takes immense courage to enter discipleship training. But where the burden of the Lord is upon me, I will be able to count the cost and go on. I will lose a great deal earthwise, but what transcendent blessings I will gain heavenwise! There is no greater compliment than “of whom the world [is] not worthy” (Hebrews 11:38).
“Now the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there’” (Exodus 24:12).
Daily with the King 