This week, the death of Robin Williams struck a nerve in a lot of people. There was shock from some, others who said it shouldn’t have been a shock, and people calling for us to be aware of others around us who might be depressed. It was a cry from all religions that there was a need to help others around us. What a most brilliant way to respond to his death: caring for others through our sadness.

As with many people who are “funny” or “on” all the time, I always wonder what they do, or who they are, when they are all alone. Robin Williams put his energy into entertaining others and seemed to constantly have a smile on his face. The news, tweets, and articles have spoken of his generous giving to the military and other charities. But, what about when there was no one around to applaud, to thank him, to acknowledge him? What did he do?

I’m seeing this “depression” in the church today through all the smiling faces.

People are running from one place to another, from one activity to another, and they are exhausted from always being “on”. They come to church thinking they must put on the “happy face”, hoping they will be blessed and filled with God, but can tend to leave feeling empty. They don’t feel they see God moving and working. It simply becomes another activity. The inward detachment from God and His people in the church can be deafening and defeating.

I struggled earlier this year with a detachment. I thought it was only me and felt alone and isolated. It was obvious God was working, I knew He was around me and in my life, and yet something wasn’t there. I had lost the joy and excitement. It was a defeating feeling. I wondered if this was all there was to the Christian life. How could I feel this way if I knew my relationship with God was still whole?

I was stuck in a rut!

Routine can be a major downer at times. So, I decided I needed to change things up. Instead of letting everyone know how down I was and acting that way, I decided I was going to relax, not beat myself up over being in a rut, and tell God how I was feeling. I asked Him to open my eyes to others who needed not me, but God Himself.

Leave it to God. He provided some good eye-opening moments for me. He showed me a lady on the street needing a conversation and a smile. I saw an old lady on the streets carrying her husband’s newly laundered clothes. As I took her home, she sadly said her husband was just taken to a home and she could no longer care for him. She wanted to wash his clothes one more time. She didn’t need me…she needed God. No names were exchanged that night, I was simply God’s taxi.

Not so strangely, my detachment was no longer there. In every situation over the next week my prayer became, “God, what does this person standing in front of me need to hear from you?” It’s amazing how God can make us feel loved and accepted when we are in His presence.

So, what do you do when there is no one around to applaud you in your job, to thank you for being a great person, to acknowledge all you do when others aren’t looking?

Here’s what I wish I could say to anyone facing depression, detachment, or feeling they are in a rut:

“You are loved! God loves YOU! He made you with a plan and desires for you to follow Him. He stands with opened-arms ready to embrace you. Walk into His presence. Allow Him to fill your void, wipe your tears, hold you close, encourage you, walk with you, laugh with you, and listen. He desires to listen to you. To you! He will never hurt you. You might feel He hurts you when what you desire is withheld. But, hold on long enough and He will provide something much better. He is true love. Breathe. Joy comes in the morning. After great loss, the joy might be small at first, but it will come. Hold on one more day.”

Here’s what the Bible says to you in Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV):

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

What pit are you in right now? God will give you a firm place to stand and a new song. Put your trust in Him!

© 2014 Susan M. Sims

 

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