We commonly perceive two types of heroic individuals who are alone by choice. The first one, the mysterious loner, commits a heroic, self-sacrificing act and then disappears into the shadows. He is an elusive mystery. Loved by women, envied by men, understood by no one but his closest friend. This man will often wear a mask. He wishes his identity to remain a secret. He is a gallant knight that brings light into our world and then disappears. We never know who he was or why he has done good deeds. Our thoughts place him in the realm of the extraordinary.

The second one is the tough loner. The tough loner puts himself in harm's way to protect others. With grim forbearance he pushes through life working his good deeds. The word fun is not in his dictionary, but neither is the word fear. His actions are often misunderstood. Some people may even fear him. He does not hide his actions in mystery; neither does he desire recognition for them. We look upon him and wonder what inner turmoil compels him to continue when others would quit. In our mind, his resolve is superhuman.

There is a third type of loner that is often overlooked. Her role is not one of glamour. She is elusive to the common observer. She can be found encompassed by a group or alone in a solitary place. When she is singled out, her ideas and beliefs are often misunderstood. Her passion is for something more than herself. She has set her eyes upon a higher calling than this world can offer. Few people understand her intimacy with God. Like all people, she wants to be physically loved, hugged, and cared for. But she finds her rest under the shadow of the Almighty. She has called the Lord her refuge and her fortress. She dwells in the secret place of the Most High.

This is not a road taken by accident. To even begin to walk this path there are conscious decisions that must be made. To continue on this path requires great discipline. The traveler of this road holds high morals without portraying loftiness. Unconditional obedience to God is highly esteemed while self-righteousness is shunned. The individual walking this path has come to realize that only the presence of God can truly satisfy the cry of their soul.

She can be found skating with friends. He is a missionary to China. She may be leader of PTA. He could be the much loved class clown. She might be voted most popular of her graduating class. What then separates this person from the average Christian? What sets them apart as a loner? There lies deep within them a commitment to self that no matter what everyone else does; I'm going to not only live for God, I'm going to serve God. These are the people who volunteer to work when everyone else is playing. These are the Samaritans who travel alone, yet stop to pick-up a hurting neighbor at their own expense. They are the Jacobs that meet God alone at El-Bethel and at Peniel. They are the Ruths who not only go the extra mile, but all the way to Jerusalem. These are they who say without remorse, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." They sacrifice their personal dream to follow the path God has set before them. They cannot follow the crowd. They follow only the hand of God.

Although alone, one walking this path seldom feels the pain of loneliness. The cost has been counted and understood beforehand. The requirement of self-sacrifice is not only accepted, it is expected. Contentment is found in the knowledge that God's work is being done.

Christians standing outside of the group do not isolate themselves physically, socially, emotionally, or mentally. The separation is spiritual. Those who make a choice to stand apart are generally a little more reserved than those they are around. But being separate doesn't have to take the 'radical' out of you. Paul tells us to remain in the place in life that we were when the Lord called us, as responsible to God. Yet he also tells us to come out from them and be separate. How do you remain and be separate? I don't think that I am a spiritual authority on this, so I will again quote Paul, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Fear God, and do what is right. Let your light shine to those around you.

If you find yourself often alone, separated because of your beliefs, distanced from your peers due to your dedication to God, do not let it drag you down. Satan loves to take every opportunity he can to twist our minds. Rather, make a conscious acknowledgement to yourself that this is the way you have chosen. Peer pressure will drag many people down because they have not built anything to hold onto. They have no conscious thought of the matter. They have not counted the cost beforehand. When the storms come against them, they are no longer certain of their beliefs. Their foundation in God is so shallow that the winds sweep them to and fro looking for acceptance in a group or situation that they have come out of.

Now that may be a lot of gibberish to some people. You may read over it several times and say, "Ok. It sounds good, but what do you really mean? How does it apply to the real world? What does it mean to my life?" Well, let's see if we can find some practical application. I have made up my mind to live for God. I am persuaded that nothing can shake me that I do not allow. I am further persuaded that nothing can separate me from the Love of God. Even when around my Christian friends, there are things that they do that I will not participate in. There are places they go that I will not go. I know the effects of different environments on me and I have made a decision not to partake of things that are against my conscience. The Bible calls this 'grieving the Holy Spirit.'

Now, I did say, "Although alone, one walking this path seldom feels the pain of loneliness." Please don't think that I never feel loneliness. Loneliness is a human emotion just as love, anger, or fear. It is not healthy to dwell in loneliness. It can, however, cause us to desire more of a person's presence. I remember many times as a ten year old I would go find a secret place and cry as my friends played. Even at that age I knew that my life had been set apart for the purpose of God. So I stood outside the circle and wanted to join in but knew that because of the path that I had chosen, I would never find a place among a group of my peers.

Again understand, I am very much for unity in the Body. No man is an island unto himself. We definitely need unity in the body of Christ, but your relationship and commitment are personal.

The soldier in the main battle stands among the assembly. The watchman in the tower stands alone. Both are of the same army, but each has his calling. We are all wonderfully and beautifully made. Has God called you to a closer walk than those around you? Then do not despise the path before you. Neither condemn those who do not walk as you walk. We are all called of God and God has called each to his own station. Walk the path before you. Should God one-day lead you to another that walks alone, you will then truly be blessed as you walk together and hold to the beliefs that are the foundation of your life in Him.

My friend found this article on the Tommy Tenney website several years back. I was blessed when I read it four years ago. And I was encouraged when I read it this morning. So I thought I'd share it... (To read my personal take on it, visit www.onedesi.blogspot.com.)