The Gift of Isolation

March 21, 2020

By Matt Yamamoto, Director of High School Ministry

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”' (Luke 10:38-42)

I chose this verse because I believe that it is a timely message for us all. As Oahu has undergone a lockdown, many people are either working from home or worse have lost their jobs. Many of the schools are shifting to distance learning models through the use of the internet, and sports leagues have been canceled. We are all facing a period of time where we will be spending a lot of time at home. I am sensing many are looking at isolation with fear or unease. 

I know for myself, before all this began to happen, I would pray to God, “Lord, help me find a new pace of life, one that is not so suffocated with busyness.” I’m not saying that God answered this prayer with the Coronavirus, but I believe that we are being given an incredible opportunity to collectively take a breath. 

Even now, as I have been working from home for a week, I find myself trying to fill the time with busy work. I find myself being like Martha running around still. But as I read this passage, I find a deep part of myself longing to be like Mary. 

We have the opportunity to readjust our sense of self-worth that can be attached to busyness, and instead reconnect with loved ones, ourselves, and most of all Jesus. Mary did not find her value in doing. She found it in being with Jesus. 

This period of isolation is not something to be feared. Most of God’s examples to us in the Bible were people who went through periods of extreme isolation. Adam, Noah, Joseph, Ruth, David, Daniel, Elijah, and Jesus come to mind. For each of them, God used that period of isolation in powerful ways to form their character, faith, and skills. The question to ask is: what does God have for you in this season of isolation? 

Prayer: Dear Abba, You know what we need, and in this period of time where we find ourselves stripped of the busyness that was once comfortable to us, please help us to find a new normal, one in which we prioritize time with family, relationships, and most of all you. Amen.