"There is a spiritual loneliness, an inner aloneness, an inner place where God brings the seeker. Ah, when you come there, there is a darkness of mind, an emptiness of heart, a loneliness of soul, but it is preliminary to the daybreak." -A.W. Tozer
I am a quote collector, and this one came from Tozer's reflections on How To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit. I could not get this image out of my mind for the last couple weeks. I think it is because the image is far too familiar. I know this inner place, and perhaps you know it too.
I can remember moments when my entire soul felt alone and empty, tapped out. If you are in that place today, I know the sense of your loneliness right now. I know the sense of God having forgotten you. I know the darkness of debilitating confusion in your heart and mind.
Can I tell you I know the truth of Tozer's last line as well? This lonely darkness is a place all of us have either been or will be at some point, and I can confirm with experience, "it is preliminary to the daybreak."
If you are in a spiritual loneliness and dark confusion, it always come before the sun breaks through. God, bring us, somehow, to the daybreak.
Spiritual Loneliness
