Hi friends! This topic is near and dear to my heart. I feel like many people don't really speak about this topic; and when they do, you can tell that they haven't personally experienced this. Many people start to victim blame when the concept of being separated, hidden, or isolated comes up, and many can't really see God in the midst of these scenarios. So as someone who has been set apart since the day I was born, I would like to shed a light on the concept of being separated for a purpose.
So as I said earlier, I have been hidden by God since the day I step foot on this earth. I was never a popular person. It was hard for me to make friends, and even my own family didn't really understand me. For most of my life, I felt completely and utterly isolated and alone. Seeing other people with groups of friends, and happy and supportive families, used to make me feel even more alone. I used to think that there was something wrong with me, so at first, I tried to distort myself to become more "acceptable". I mean, I could never hold anyone to me so I had to be the common denominator right? But as I tried to morph myself into someone that God never created me to be, I always felt... off. I wasn't being true to myself and it showed. It manifested itself into depression, anxiety, and self-hate that was so deeply ingrained within me that I am still working with God to remove it. So, changing yourself to fit into this world is not going to be your saving grace. Because having people love a fake version of you hurts more than being rejected for who you truly are.
Many times when I would look up sermons and see people talk about those of us without strong family or friendly connections, they would always blame the people who were alone. It would make me so upset because they always assumed it was me who was intentionally pushing people away. No one could see that I was desperate to have a deep connection with someone. Desperate enough to change myself in order to feel even an ounce of love. Desperate enough to settle for half-baked, and one-sided relationships because I just wanted somebody to talk to. I tried my absolute hardest to find people in this world that would see me as a whole, human being, and I did my best to keep those people around when I thought that I found them. None of the "advice" in those sermons ever helped me or comforted me when I was feeling so much sadness and pain from being alone.
But as I grew up, God had begun to shed a light on why I had to go through so much of my life alone.
The very first thing that He told me about all of it, was that none of the people who left me was my fault. Every time someone would leave, I always thought that it had something to do with me, but He showed me that it wasn't my fault, and that many people are just jerks. Not everyone has a heart like mine, and that is precisely why I can't be around just anybody. The people leaving my life, was a way to protect me because of who I was, it was not meant to hurt me. God needed me to be in a place where my heart wouldn't be tainted by the effects of this world; and while being alone produced some sadness in me, I'm sure it would have been worse for my soul if I allowed certain people to negatively influence me. And honestly many times when people talk about this, they also leave out the fact that God could be separating you from your family as well for the exact same reason. Not all family members are good for you, and sometimes you have to be separated from even them, so don't be surprised if that ever happens to you.
The second thing that God showed me, was that He separated me in order so that I could grow closer to Him. And this my friends probably the main reason why all of us are going through a period of separation. God is calling us all to have a deeper connection with Him. And this connection with Him is going to be VITAL for us in our walks with Christ. Because I don't know about y'all, but I am a Black Queer Christian who is called to preach the gospel, and many people might have a little bit of a problem with that. So my faith had to be built up to a place where outside influence couldn't stop me from pursuing God's purpose for my life. So God is calling all of us who are separated to a higher calling that will require a closeness to God for us to achieve. So great news! If you are being separated by God, that means that you are being separated for a higher purpose! So congratulations my friend! You have a very big story!
And to everyone that is running from this calling and purpose for your life, I'd first like to say that I understand. I tried to run from mine too. It can be really daunting to know that you have a big purpose, and it can be even harder to accept if you don't fully want to do what you're called to do too as well. But remember my friend that God is a promise keeper! He will take care of you everywhere you go, and you will have a good life! He will never abandon you, and He will carry you through everything that you have set before you!
Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Isaiah 43:2 NLT
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
